Term: valence band
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.V06589

Definition:
Highest energy continuum of energy levels in a solid that is fully occupied by electrons at 0 K.

Notes:
0) The @V06588@ band is lower in energy than the @C01244@ and is generally completely full in semiconductors. When heated, electrons from the @V06588@ band jump out of the band across the band gap and into the @C01244@, making the material conductive. The @F02341@ separates the @V06588@ band from the @C01244@.
1) In metals the @V06588@ band is the @C01244@.
2) Sample characterized by a (unique) sample axis Z with all directions perpendicular to Z being equivalent. In other words, the sample properties are invariant to rotation around Z. Uniaxiality exists in many anisotropic samples and simplifies the interpretation of their spectra considerably.

Related Terms:
1) valence (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.V06588).
2) conduction band (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01244).
3) fermi level (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.F02341).

Source: PAC, 2007, 79, 293. 'Glossary of terms used in photochemistry, 3rd edition (IUPAC Recommendations 2006)' on page 438 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac200779030293)

Citation: 'valence band' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.V06589

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