text: The optical reflection in (semi-)conductors happens mostly in the surface region of the material. Therefore, the band structure of this region is extra important. Band structure usually covers bulk material. For deviations from this structure, it is conventional to use a band diagram. In a band diagram the x-axis is changed from wavevector k in band structure diagrams to position x in the preferred direction. Usually, this positional direction is normal to the surface plane.
  For semiconductors specifically, the band diagram near the surface of the material is important. When an electric field is present close to, or in the material, this will lead to a potential difference within the semiconductor. Dependent on the electric field, the semiconductor will become n- or p-like in the surface region. From now on we will use that the semiconductor has become n-like at the surface. The bands near the surface will bend under the electrostatic potential of the applied electric field. This bending can be interpreted in the same way as the bending of the valence and conduction bands in a p-n-junction, when equilibrium has been reached. The result of this bending leads to a conduction band that comes close to the Fermi level. Therefore, the conduction band will begin to fill with electrons. This change in band structure leads to a change in optical reflection of the semiconductor.