Inst ToolsInst ToolsInst Tools
  • Courses
  • Automation
    • PLC
    • Control System
    • Safety System
    • Communication
    • Fire & Gas System
  • Instrumentation
    • Design
    • Pressure
    • Temperature
    • Flow
    • Level
    • Vibration
    • Analyzer
    • Control Valve
    • Switch
    • Calibration
    • Erection & Commissioning
  • Interview
    • Instrumentation
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Practical
  • Q&A
    • Instrumentation
    • Control System
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Analog Electronics
    • Digital Electronics
    • Power Electronics
    • Microprocessor
  • Request
Search
  • Books
  • Software
  • Projects
  • Process
  • Tools
  • Basics
  • Formula
  • Power Plant
  • Root Cause Analysis
  • Electrical Basics
  • Animation
  • Standards
  • 4-20 mA Course
  • Siemens PLC Course
Reading: Why Silicon is preferred over Germanium ?
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Inst ToolsInst Tools
Font ResizerAa
  • Courses
  • Design
  • PLC
  • Interview
  • Control System
Search
  • Courses
  • Automation
    • PLC
    • Control System
    • Safety System
    • Communication
    • Fire & Gas System
  • Instrumentation
    • Design
    • Pressure
    • Temperature
    • Flow
    • Level
    • Vibration
    • Analyzer
    • Control Valve
    • Switch
    • Calibration
    • Erection & Commissioning
  • Interview
    • Instrumentation
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Practical
  • Q&A
    • Instrumentation
    • Control System
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Analog Electronics
    • Digital Electronics
    • Power Electronics
    • Microprocessor
  • Request
Follow US
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Inst Tools > Blog > Electronic Devices & Circuits > Why Silicon is preferred over Germanium ?

Why Silicon is preferred over Germanium ?

Last updated: September 27, 2016 2:30 pm
Editorial Staff
Electronic Devices & Circuits
No Comments
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

 As we all know, both Silicon and Germanium are semiconductor devices. But the present trend is to use Silicon instead of Germanium. What may be the reasons?

Although both silicon and germanium are used in semiconductor devices, the present day trend is to use silicon. The main reasons for this are :

(i) Smaller ICBO. At room temperature, a silicon crystal has fewer free electrons than a germanium crystal. This implies that silicon will have much smaller collector cut off current (ICBO) than that of germanium. In general, with germanium, ICBO is 10 to 100 times greater than with silicon. The typical values of ICBO at 25°C (the figures most often used for normal temperature) for small signal transistors are:

Silicon : 0.01 µA to 1µA Germanium :   2 to 15 µA

(ii) Smaller variation of ICBO with temperature. The variation of ICBO with temperature is less in silicon as compared to germanium. A rough rule of thumb for germanium is that ICBO approximately doubles with each 8 to 10°C rise while in case of silicon, it approximately doubles with each 12°C rise.

(iii) Greater working temperature. The structure of germanium will be destroyed at a temperature of approximately 100°C. The maximum normal working temperature of germanium is 70°C but silicon can be operated upto 150°C. Therefore, silicon devices are not easily damaged by excess heat.

(iv) Higher PIVrating. The PIV ratings of silicon diodes are greater than those of germanium diodes. For example, the PIV ratings of silicon diodes are in the neighbourhood of 1000V whereas the PIV ratings of germanium diodes are close to 400V.

The disadvantage of silicon as compared to germanium is that potential barrier of silicon diode (0.7V) is more than that of germanium diode (0.5V). This means that higher bias voltage is required to cause current flow in a silicon diode circuit. This drawback of silicon goes to the background in view of the other advantages of silicon mentioned above. Consequently, the modern trend is to use silicon in semiconductor devices.

Why Silicon is preferred over Germanium ?

Summary:

  1. 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.
  2. The variation of Collector cut off current with temperature is less in Silicon compared to Germanium.
  3. The structure of Germanium crystals will be destroyed at higher temperature. However, Silicon crystals are not easily damaged by excess heat.
  4. Peak Inverse Voltage ratings of Silicon diodes are greater than Germanium diodes.
  5. Si is less expensive due to the greater abundance of element. The major raw material for Si wafer fabrication is sand and there is lots of sand available in nature.

But there is a disadvantage for Silicon over Germanium.

The potential Barrier of Silicon is more compared to Germanium.

But if we consider the advantages listed above, we can conclude that Silicon is the best element for the Semiconductor Devices and Applications.

However, the first transistor was made of germanium (Ge). 🙂

Don't Miss Our Updates
Be the first to get exclusive content straight to your email.
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address
You've successfully subscribed !

Continue Reading

Zener Diode Breakdown Characteristics
Capacitor Filter Operation
Electronic Symbols
Choke Input Filter Operation
Insulators, Conductors and Semiconductors
Transistor Emitter Feedback Bias
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Copy Link
Share
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected

128.3kFollowersLike
69.1kFollowersFollow
210kSubscribersSubscribe
38kFollowersFollow

Categories

Explore More

Diodes Voltage Tripler
Basic Electronics Questions & Answers
Difference between Schottky Diode and PN junction Diode
Comparison of MOSFET and BJT
Schottky Diode Working Principle
Tunnel Diode Working Principle
Full Wave Voltage Doubler using Diodes
Energy Diagrams of PN Junction & Depletion Region

Keep Learning

Zener Diode Limiter Working

Zener Diode Limiter

Independent-Voltage-Source-circuit-ideal-battery

Circuit Elements and Types of Circuits

Transistors Questions & Answers

Transistors Questions & Answers

Diode-vi-characteristic-curve-for-forward-bias

VI Characteristic of a Diode

pn-junction-with-depletion-layer

How a PN Junction Formed in a Diode

Center Tapped Full Wave Rectifier Operation

Center Tapped Full Wave Rectifier Operation

Basic Transistor Amplifier Circuit Principle

Basic Transistor Amplifier Circuit Principle

Laser Diode Working Principle

Laser Diode Working Principle

Learn More

Advances in Control System

Neural Networks

Calibration of a Strain Gage Load Cell

Shunt Calibration of a Strain Gauge Load Cell

fieldbus cables layout

H1 FF Data Link layer

Power Electronics Objective Questions

Thyristor Family Quiz

Brands PLC communication interface and protocol

Communicating Between Siemens PLC and Other PLC Brands

4 way solenoid valve root cause

Safety Liquid Ammonia Disconnect threatens NH3 Vapor Spill

What is Power Cable

What is Power Cable? Types of Power Cables

In this article, you will learn the configuration of PlantPAx library in factory talk studio of Rockwell Automation.

Configuration of PlantPAx Library in Factory Talk Studio

Menu

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright

Quick Links

  • Learn PLC
  • Helping Hand
  • Part Time Job

YouTube Subscribe

Follow US
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?