what is the different between Germanium diode and Silicon diode?

Answer 1

The type of crystal, germanium or silicon. The germanium have a lower threshold breakdown voltage than silicon but cannot handle as much power.
The development of the germanium transistor opened the door to countless applications of solid state electronics. From 1950 through the early 1970s, this area provided an increasing market for germanium, but then high purity silicon began replacing germanium in transistors, diodes, and rectifiers. Silicon has superior electrical properties, but requires much higher purity samples—a purity which could not be commercially achieved in the early days. Meanwhile, demand for germanium in fiber optics communication networks, infrared night vision systems, and polymerization catalysts


Yours: Grumpy

Answer 2

Germanium and silicon occupy the same column in the periodic chart, so they have similar valance properties. With appropriate doping with impurities, they become semiconductors. Silicon is generally considered to have better operating characteristics, such as speed and thermal durability, so germanium is not widely used any more in transistors and integrated circuits.

Yes the threshold voltage is different: 0.7V for silicon, 0.2V for germanium. So, germanium makes a better small-signal detector.

Answer 3

Germanium was the first semi conductor material used in the mid to end '50s. It was more easily processed, but did not have the ability to go for the type of power ratings achieved with silicon.
Essentially the two elements have a lot in common, and that also includes carbon and are usually shown together in a column on element tables that sort elements with similar characteristics.
Lately the industry is looking closer at germanium again, because certain laser and photo cell functions are more easily obtained that way, and they hope to use light in processors, to get info from one end to the other (of the processor) in a faster manner than via metallic interconnects. In fact, getting back to carbon, they are now also playing around with using carbon nanotubes as semi conductors.

Answer 4

I am trying to remember from years ago but I think germanium (.2) has a lower firing voltage than Silicon (.6).

Answer 5

One is made from germanium and the other is made from silicon. Both elements . Silicon is used more now as it is easier to extract from sand. Whereas germanium is found mostly in quartz.

Answer 6

One is made of Germanium and the other is made of Silicon

Answer 7

For a Germanium diode to conduct, it`s anode has to be 0.1 to 0.2 volts higher than it`s cathode.

For a silicon diode to conduct, it`s anode has to be 0.6 to 0.7 higher that it`s cathode.

Answer 8

Mostly the doping material used.germanium are usually small signal where as silicone can be high current.

Answer 9

I give up. Whats the difference?

Answer 10

http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:vYkIvDJx6CIJ:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diode+what+is+the+different+between+Germanium+diode+and+Silicon+diode&hl=en&gl=uk&ct=clnk&cd=2&client=firefox-a