Thermal Voltage

The Thermal Voltage calculator computes the flow of electric current and electrostatic potential across a p-n junction based on the temperature (T), the Boltzmann's constant (k), and the elementary charge (q).

INSTRUCTIONS:  Choose units and enter the following:

• (T) Temperature.

Thermal Voltage (V_T):  The calculator returns the voltage in volts.  However, this can be automatically converted to compatible units via the pull-down menu.

The Math / Science

The Thermal Voltage is the relationship between the flow of electric current and electrostatic potential across a p-n junction. The thermal voltage depends on absolute temperature T.  The formula for Thermal Voltage is:

        V_T=(k•T)/q

where: 

• VT = Flow of electric current (Thermal Voltage)
• k =Boltzmann's constant
• T = temperature
• q =elementary charge (1.602176565(35)×10⁻¹⁹ C)

Related Calculators:

• Ohms Law Calculator

References

The formula and definition are from Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boltzmann_constant#Role_in_semiconductor_physics:_the_thermal_voltage).