What is the advantages of silicon over germanium?

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.

What is the difference between silicon and germanium transistor?

To answer you actual question, there are two significant differences between silicon and germanium transistors: germanium has a low melting point and germanium transistors have much less tolerance for high temperatures. The forward voltage drop of a germanium junction is lower than for silicon.

Why is silicon transistor more commonly used compared to germanium transistor?

Silicon as a semiconductor has wider bandgap than germanium and therefore it can be operated at a much higher temperature up to 120 degree centigrade . It interstice concentration is much less than Ge and therefore the reverse saturation current has much less values for Si which means less of currents.

Why is germanium a better conductor than silicon?

The potential Barrier of Silicon is more compared to Germanium which makes Ge more conductive as compared to Si. 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.

What is the difference between silicon and germanium diodes?

A Silicon Diode is a semiconductor that has both positive and negative charge polarity and can allow an electrical current to flow in one direction whilst restricting another. A Germanium Diode works in the same way but has a low forward voltage which results in it being a low power loss and an efficient diode.

What is a germanium transistor?

The germanium transistor was the first to be mass-produced and made commercially available to the public. This transistor was used extensively in radio technology, helping to create the first portable AM radios, as well as the first car radios. It was even used in a few of the first guitar effect pedals in the 1960s.

Why do we use silicon in transistors?

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.