Electron-hole pairs are created when an electron in a semiconductor gains enough energy to break free from its atomic bond, leaving behind a vacancy known as a hole. These pairs are crucial in various optoelectronic devices, as they are responsible for the conduction of electricity and the generation of light when recombined. Understanding electron-hole pairs is essential for grasping how energy conversion occurs in solar cells, how quantum wells manipulate electronic properties, and the behavior of materials used in optoelectronic applications.
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