How Does Band Structure Affect Material Properties?
The band structure of a material dictates its electronic properties, such as whether it is a conductor, semiconductor, or insulator. For instance, in conductors, the conduction band overlaps with the valence band, allowing electrons to flow freely. In semiconductors, a small band gap exists between the valence band and the conduction band, which can be manipulated for various applications, such as in transistors and solar cells.