Nanowires of zinc oxide and indium oxide transistors look promising as substitutes for portions of the existing carbon-metal assemblies. For example, carbon nanotube transistors still excell in physical strength and electron mobility.
Direct Bandgap - Indium Phosphate (IP)
...refers to compounds that readily radiate light energy, such as laser diodes.
Energy vs. momentum for a semiconductor with a direct band gap, showing that an electron can shift from the lowest potential in the conduction band (green) to the highest potential in the valence band (red) without a change in momentum.
Indirect Bandgap
...refers to compounds that reabsorb radiated energy in a closed system.
Energy vs. momentum for a semiconductor with an indirect band gap, showing that an electron cannot shift from the lowest potential in the conduction band (green) to the highest potential in the valence band (red) without a change in momentum, possibly assisted by a phonon.
