Electronics is an ever changing domain. It all started with transistor which changed the world. The first transistor which was invented in 1948 was a Germanium based. Germanium semi-conductor has several disadvantages especially with the temperature rating as Germanium material breaks down at higher temperatures, above 80 degC. Silicon which has superior properties has taken over and is used for years now.
Silicon is preferred over germanium for a variety of reasons:
Abundance:
Silicon is the second-most abundant element in the Earth's crust, while germanium is relatively rare.
Temperature:
Silicon is more stable than germanium at higher temperatures, making it more suitable for use in high-temperature applications.
Bandgap:
Silicon has a smaller bandgap than germanium, which means that it requires less energy to excite an electron to a conducting state. This makes silicon more efficient for use in electronic devices.
Compatibility:
Silicon is more compatible with the oxide layer used in electronic devices, making it easier to produce high-quality insulating layers.
Manufacturing:
Silicon has a mature manufacturing infrastructure that has been developed over several decades. This makes it easier and more cost-effective to produce high-quality silicon-based electronic components compared to germanium.
Overall, silicon's abundance, stability, efficiency, compatibility, and manufacturing advantages make it a more desirable choice than germanium for electronic applications.
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