What does exciton mean?
An exciton is a quasiparticle that arises from the interaction between an electron and a hole in a solid material, typically a semiconductor or insulator. This bound state is crucial in understanding the optical properties of these materials, as it influences their photoluminescence and absorption spectra. Excitons are important in the study of semiconductor physics and have potential applications in optoelectronic devices. The concept of excitons helps researchers and engineers design and optimize materials for various applications, including solar cells and light-emitting diodes.
nounAn exciton is a quasiparticle that represents a bound state of an electron and a hole in a solid material, typically a semiconductor or insulator.
- A quasiparticle in solid-state physics
- A bound state in semiconductors
"The exciton was observed in the photoluminescence spectrum of the semiconductor material."
"Excitons play a crucial role in the optical properties of semiconductors."
"The formation of excitons can be influenced by the material's crystal structure."
Countable, used to refer to multiple quasiparticles.
"The semiconductor material exhibited multiple excitons in its photoluminescence spectrum."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of exciton
The term 'exciton' originates from the word 'excitation,' referring to the process of exciting an electron from a lower energy state to a higher energy state. The suffix '-on' is added, similar to other particle names like 'electron' and 'photon.' The concept of excitons was first introduced in the 1950s to describe the behavior of electron-hole pairs in solids.
Usage notes
Formal or technical contexts, often in physics or materials science.