Bending of energy bands

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-001186",
  "term": "Bending of energy bands",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The curvature of the electronic energy bands in a semiconductor or insulator near an interface, caused by a redistribution of charge. This phenomenon arises from the alignment of Fermi levels between the semiconductor and an adjacent material, or due to surface states. The extent and direction of band bending influence the electrical properties of the interface, such as Schottky barrier height.",
  "subject": "Physical and Biophysical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "charge density",
    "interface",
    "semiconductor",
    "surface states"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1986, 58, 437. 'Interphases in systems of conducting phases (Recommendations 1985)' on page 443 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac198658030437)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/bending-of-energy-bands/"
}