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According to the following diagram (this is for a p-type semiconductor) : enter image description here

The acceptor level - which is the hole, has a higher energy than the valence electrons as it is above the valence band. But why does the hole have greater energy than the valence electrons? Shouldn't it have the same energy as an electron as it is simply the broken bond that an electron leaves behind (when the electron gets promoted)?

The text I was studying from also stated that a hole is a place where an electron can be promoted to, but why and how?

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Holes energy is measured down from valence band top because of their positive charge.

Remember that in real world there are no holes. This is quasi-particle introduced in order to describe movement of valence electrons, which is very hard due to high concentration of them. Huge amount of valence electrons is thus replaced by moderate amount of holes.

My advice is to read classic solid state books, for example, Kittel or (and) Aschcroft and Mermin, they step-by-step explain everything from the origins.

P.S. Semiconductor questions should go to electrical engineering.

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  • $\begingroup$ Thank you, and my bad I'm learning about this in my material science course - so I used the material science tag. $\endgroup$
    – Berry
    Commented Aug 12, 2022 at 1:45
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    $\begingroup$ semiconductor theory qualifies as Physics too. $\endgroup$
    – Carl Witthoft
    Commented Aug 12, 2022 at 12:12

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