The Fermi energy is a concept in quantum mechanics usually referring to the energy of the highest occupied quantum state in a system of fermions at absolute zero temperature.
Confusingly, the term "Fermi energy" is often used to describe a different but closely related concept, the Fermi level (also called chemical potential). The Fermi energy and Fermi level are the same at absolute zero, but differ at other temperatures, as described below.
Read more about Fermi Energy: Illustration of The Concept For A One Dimensional Square Well, Three-dimensional Case, Related Quantities
Famous quotes containing the word energy:
“Just as we need to encourage women to test life’s many options, we need to acknowledge real limits of energy and resources. It would be pointless and cruel to prescribe role combination for every woman at each moment of her life. Life has its seasons. There are moments when a woman ought to invest emotionally in many different roles, and other moments when she may need to conserve her psychological energies.”
—Faye J. Crosby (20th century)