Hole is the most common and accepted term, also called electron hole or sometimes a positive hole in more technical contexts. It's a concept in solid-state physics that describes the absence of an electron in a position within a semiconductor or insulator's crystal lattice where one could exist. In a material's electronic structure, the valence band is typically filled with electrons, while the conduction band is empty or partially filled. When an electron in the valence band gains enough energy through heat, light, or an electric field, it can jump to the conduction band, leaving behind a vacancy or "hole" in the valence band. This hole behaves as a positively charged particle because it represents the absence of a negatively charged electron. Other electrons in the valence band can move to fill this hole, effectively causing the hole to move in the opposite direction, which allows it to act as a charge carrier in the material. Holes play a role in the operation of semiconductors, enabling phenomena like electrical conductivity in p-type semiconductors, where holes are the majority charge carriers. The concept of holes simplifies the understanding of charge transport in materials, as their movement contributes to electric current in a manner complementary to that of electrons.
