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- About Us
Germanium
Germanium (Ge) is a lustrous, grayish-white metalloid with semiconductor properties similar to silicon. It is brittle at room temperature but exhibits excellent electronic properties that make it critical in infrared optics, fiber optics, and high-performance electronics. Germanium is stable in air and water and resists many acids and alkalis.
Goodfellow supplies 5N and 6N purity Germanium (Ge) for advanced scientific, industrial, and research applications. Our selection of Germanium (Ge) materials, including Foils, Pellets, Single Crystals, and Sputtering Targets, is designed to meet the demands of advanced research laboratories and industrial applications. With outstanding semiconducting properties and exceptional infrared transparency, Germanium plays a crucial role in infrared optics, photovoltaic cells, and high-performance semiconductor devices. High-purity Germanium (HPGe), available as a Thin Film and as a Powder, supports progress in energy storage, photonics, and materials science. Goodfellow’s Germanium range provides dependable solutions for researchers and professionals in electronics, telecommunications, and sustainable energy sectors.
Properties
Identifiers
Isotopes
Applications
Grades
Synonyms
General Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Atomic Number | 32 |
| Density | 5.32 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 938.25 °C |
| Boiling Point | 2833 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 60.2 W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | 47 µΩ·cm |
| Crystal Structure | Diamond cubic |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Hardness | 6 Mohs |
| Elastic Modulus | 103 GPa |
| Poisson’s Ratio | 0.28 |
Chemical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | Good; resistant to many acids |
| Reactivity | Stable in air; reacts with halogens at elevated temps |
| Oxidation States | +2, +4 |
| Surface Oxide | Germanium dioxide (GeO₂) |
| Identifier | Value |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Ge |
| Atomic Number | 32 |
| CAS Number | 7440-56-4 |
| UN Number | Not classified |
| EINECS Number | 231-164-3 |
| Isotope | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ge-70 | Stable | 20.5% natural abundance |
| Ge-72 | Stable | 27.4% natural abundance |
| Ge-73 | Stable | 7.8% natural abundance |
| Ge-74 | Stable | 36.5% natural abundance |
| Ge-76 | Weakly radioactive | 7.8% abundance; studied for double beta decay |
Scientific Applications
| Use Case | Description |
|---|---|
| Infrared Optics | Used in lenses and windows for IR spectrometry and night vision |
| Semiconductor Research | Used in advanced transistor and diode development |
| Thermoelectrics | Key material in thermoelectric generators for space missions |
| Nuclear Physics | Ge detectors used for gamma spectroscopy |
| Photonic Devices | Used in high-speed optical modulators |
Industrial Applications
| Use Case | Description |
|---|---|
| Fiber Optics | GeO₂ used to dope glass fibers, improving signal clarity |
| Solar Panels | Substrate in multi-junction high-efficiency solar cells |
| LED Technology | Applied in compound semiconductors |
| Medical Imaging | Used in X-ray and PET scanning detectors |
| Alloying Agent | Improves strength and corrosion resistance in metals |
| Purity | Main Use |
|---|---|
| Ge 99.999% (5N) | Suitable for optical applications and general electronics |
| Ge 99.9999% (6N) | Used in infrared optics, high-performance semiconductors, and radiation detectors |
| Synonym |
|---|
| Ge |
| Elemental Germanium |
| Germanium Metal |