Calculation of the Fermi Energy

When the energy of the electron becomes comparable with the energy of the conduction band, the Boltzmann approximation begins to break down. There is no analytical way to calculate the Fermi Integral therefore numerous approximations have been found. This page detail the various methods of finding the Fermi energy using these approximations.

The Fermi Integral,

where G is the Gamma function.

 

Joyce-Dixon Approximation

 

 

Padé Approximation

 

Inverse Second-Order Ungar Approximation

Inverse First-Order Sommerfeld Approximation

 

 

Nillson's Global Approximation