Why silicon and germanium are preferred semiconductors?

Why silicon and germanium are preferred semiconductors?

Why is silicon usually preferred to germanium in the manufacture of semiconductor devices? Silicon is abundant on the earth’s surface and therefore cheaper than germanium. The PIV (Peak Inverse Voltage) rating of silicon is much higher than germanium and therefore can withstand much higher temperatures than germanium.

Why silicon is the best semiconductor?

The number of photons having energy higher than the silicon gap are the greatest on the solar spectra and that’s why silicon is the most known semiconductor material used for solar cells since its energy gap is about 1.1 ev, while the photons flux density is the highest for those carrying energy more than 1.1 ev.

How do germanium and silicon become semiconductor?

Germanium atoms have one more shell than silicon atoms, but what makes for the interesting semiconductor properties is the fact that both have four electrons in the valence shell. Substituted atoms alter the electrical properties. The process of adding these atoms is known as doping.

Why silicon is preferred over germanium for manufacturing of electronic devices?

Summary: At room temperature, Silicon crystal has fewer free electrons than Germanium crystal. This implies that silicon will have much smaller Collector cut off current than Germanium. The variation of Collector cut off current with temperature is less in Silicon compared to Germanium.

Is germanium a better semiconductor than silicon?

Abstract. There are several reasons Silicon has become the preferred semiconductor in the present, over Germanium. Silicon has large band gap (1.12eV) than germanium (0.7eV). So, at same temperature, the thermal pair generation in silicon is less than germanium.

Is germanium a semiconductor?

Germanium is a chemical element with the symbol Ge and atomic number 32. Pure germanium is a semiconductor with an appearance similar to elemental silicon.

Why are silicon and germanium useful in electronic industry?

Explanation: Each has four valence electrons, but germanium will at a given temperature have more free electrons and a higher conductivity. Silicon is by far the more widely used semiconductor for electronics, partly because it can be used at much higher temperatures than germanium.

What is the advantage of silicon over germanium for transistor fabrication?

The structure of Germanium crystals will be destroyed at higher temperature. However, Silicon crystals are not easily damaged by excess heat. Peak Inverse Voltage ratings of Silicon diodes are greater than Germanium diodes. Si is less expensive due to the greater abundance of element.

Why silicon is preferred for manufacturing electronic devices?

Silicon is used for electronic devices because it is an element with very special properties. Silicon’s electrical properties can be modified through a process called doping. These characteristics make it an ideal material for making transistors that amplify electrical signals.

What is the advantages of silicon over germanium?

What are the advantages of germanium?

There have been claims that germanium may be beneficial for health, including improving the immune system, oxygen supply in the body, and destroying free radicals. According to Healthline, germanium has also been considered to be beneficial in treating allergies, asthma, arthritis, HIV/AIDS and various forms of cancer.

Is germanium a good semiconductor?

Pure germanium is a semiconductor with an appearance similar to elemental silicon. Germanium is widely used for gamma ray spectroscopy. In gamma spectroscopy, germanium is preferred due to its atomic number being much higher than silicon and which increases the probability of gamma ray interaction.