because in Ge mobility of both electrons and holes is higher than the corresponding carriers in Si....and second reason -Ge can be refined and processed more easily..
In semiconductor uses, such as diodes and transistors, the forward voltage drop for Silicon (Si) is a little less than 0.7 volts, while the FVD for Germanium (Ge) is about 0.3 volts.
The step recovery diodes are the "fastest" in that, while they may take relatively a long time between when the external voltage becomes negative until they switch fully off, the reverse current stops much more abruptly than other diodes. The tunnel diodes and Gunn diodes are the "fastest" in that the time after the external voltage becomes negative to the time they switch off is shorter than other diodes. The Schottky diodes are the "next-fastest" in that the time after the external voltage becomes negative to the time they switch off is very short.
Simple diode is a two-terminal pn-junction with appropriate contacts for connecting the junction to external circuits. Power diode is formed by alloying, diffusion, and epitaxial growth. The modern techniques in semiconductor fabrication processes permit the desired device characteristics. The operation of power diodes is similar to that of signal diodes; but it has larger power-, voltage-, and current-handling capabilities than those of ordinary diodes. Switching speed of the power diodes is low compared to that of signal diodes.
Silicon is used as a deoxidising (killing) agent in the melting of steel, as a result, most steels contain a small percentage of silicon. Silicon contributes to hardening of the ferritic phase in steels and for this reason silicon killed steels are somewhat harder and stiffer than aluminium killed steels.
THE SILICON CHIP -The term silicon is important in the computer industry. Microchips that let computers work are made from silicon. Scientists developed the first trial silicon chip in 1958. Before that time computers were made of transistors. In 1958 scientists thought that silicon microchips were impressive because each chip could hold more than 30 transistors. Today's silicon chips often have more than a million transistors. Silicon microchips have helped make modern computer technology possible.
Though germanium diodes were the first ones fabricated, several factors make silicon the choice vs. germanium diodes. Silicon diodes have a greater ease of processing, lower cost, greater power handling, less leakage and more stable temperature characteristics than germanium diodes. Germanium diodes' lower forward drop (.2V to .3V versus .7V to 1.0V) make them better at small signal detection and rectification.
Silicon has a larger band gap energy than germanium, resulting in a higher cut-in voltage for silicon diodes compared to germanium diodes. The larger band gap in silicon means that it requires more energy for electrons to be excited into the conduction band, resulting in a higher cut-in voltage.
Germanium diodes typically have a lower forward voltage drop than silicon diodes, which can result in slightly higher temperatures under the same operating conditions. However, the difference in temperature between the two types of diodes is generally minimal and may vary depending on the specific application.
The built is voltage would be lower than silicon diode,more leakage or reverse saturation current,poor thermal stability,high noise and greater conduction in comparison to silicon diodes.
In semiconductor uses, such as diodes and transistors, the forward voltage drop for Silicon (Si) is a little less than 0.7 volts, while the FVD for Germanium (Ge) is about 0.3 volts.
silicon diodes Cut in voltage is 0.7 V.but the Germanium cut in voltage is 0.3 V that's why .............
silicon diode is preferred more when compared with germanium diode because in silicon diode the operating voltage is 0.7v where as in germanium diode the operating voltage is 0.3v , germanium is temperature sensitive so it can be easily destroyed by increasing temperature hence silicon diode is preferred more
Germanium diodes are more expensive than silicon ones, germanium is harder to process, germanium cannot be used to make integrated circuits (while early prototype integrated circuits were germanium the wiring between the integrated components cannot be integrated making it too expensive for production), germanium cannot operate with a junction temperature above 60C (silicon will operate up to 150C), and its reverse leakage current is greater. However! Germanium diodes have a lower forward voltage drop than silicon ones do, so they're better for some applications, like radio frequency detection.
Yes ,laser diodes actually emmit light . All other diodes serve to block voltage ,or zenner diode to regulate.
Aluminum is less electronegative than silicon.
Silicon is a more popular semiconductor than germanium due to factors such as its wider band gap, higher thermal stability, and better abundance in nature. Silicon also has better manufacturing processes and can operate at higher temperatures, making it more suitable for a wide range of electronic applications.
Advantages of Trapatt:• higher efficiency than impatt• very low power dissipationAdvantages of Impatt:• This microwave diode has high power capability compare to other diodes.• Output is reliable compare to other diodes.