Fermi Point (Nanoscience)
The Fermi point is one particular electron state. The Fermi point refers to an event chirality of electrons is involved and the diameter of a carbon nanotube for which the nanotube becomes metallic. As the structure of a carbon nanotube determines the energy levels that the carbon's electrons may occupy, the structure affects macroscopic properties of the nanotube structure, most notably electrical and thermal conductivity.
Flat graphite is a conductor except when rolled up into small cylinders. This circular structure inhibits the internal flow of electrons and the graphite becomes a semiconductor; a transition point forms between the valence band and conduction band. This point is called the Fermi point. If the diameter of the carbon nanotube is sufficiently great, the necessary transition phase disappears and the nanotube may be considered a conductor.
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