What Are Germanium Wafers?
Germanium wafers are thin slices of germanium, a semiconductor material with superior electrical and optical properties. With high carrier mobility and sensitivity to infrared light, they are essential for advanced semiconductor and optoelectronic devices.
Applications of Germanium Wafers
- High-Performance Transistors: Enables faster and more energy-efficient processors and memory devices.
- Photodetectors and Infrared Sensors: Used in infrared cameras and fiber optic communication systems.
- Solar Cells: Acts as a substrate or absorber layer in high-efficiency solar panels.
- Heterojunction Devices: Integrates with silicon or III-V materials for advanced photonic and quantum devices.
- Power Devices: Reduces resistance in power amplifiers and switching devices.
Advantages of Germanium Wafers
- Superior Performance: Higher electron and hole mobility than silicon.
- Infrared Sensitivity: Ideal for optical and sensing applications.
- Silicon Compatibility: Can be integrated with existing silicon technologies.
- Versatility: Used in electronics, photonics, and renewable energy.