electron-hole pairs

Electron-hole pairs are the paired charge carriers created when energy (typically light or heat) dislodges an electron from its position in a semiconductor material.

The departing electron leaves behind a "hole"—a vacancy that behaves like a positive charge.

Both the electron and hole can move through the material, carrying current in opposite directions.

This pairing is fundamental to how solar cells, LEDs, and transistors work: The efficiency of a solar panel depends on how many electron-hole pairs are generated and collected.