An important parameter in the band theory is the Fermi level, that is, the top of the available electron

energy levels at low temperatures. The Fermi level is a state with a 50%chance of being occupied by
an electron for the given temperature of the solid. However, at the absolute zero temperature, the
occupancy tends to be that of a 100%. Levels of lower energy than that of the Fermi level tend to be
entirely filled with electrons while energy levels higher than the Fermi level tend to be empty. The
position of the Fermi Level with the relation to the conduction band is a crucial factor especially when
it comes to determining electrical properties. Fermi energy is the corresponding energy of the Fermi
level, therefore, the Fermi energy is the maximum energy occupied by an electron at 0K. By the
Pauli exclusion principle, we know that the electrons will fill all available energy levels and the top of
that Fermi Sea of electrons is called the Fermi Energy. One of the remarkable things about the
Fermi energy is how large it is compared to the energies which electrons could gain by ordinary
physical interactions with their environment. The Fermi energy for gold is 5.53eV, while that for
copper is 7eV.