germanium
Metalloid for transistors
Germanium is a chemical element, a brittle grayish-white metalloid used in semiconductors, fiber optics, and infrared technology.
Before silicon dominated, germanium powered early transistors and diodes.
It sits between silicon and tin on the periodic table, sharing properties with both.
The element takes its name from Germany, where it was discovered in 1886.
Metalloid in electronics
- dopingProhibited athletic drug use
- n-typeSemiconductor with electron majority
- p-typeHole-majority charge carrier semiconductor
- transistorSemiconductor signal switch
diode · junction · carrier · mobility · conductivity · valence · substrate · wafer
Semiconductor signal switch
- diodeOne-way semiconductor
- chipSmall broken-off piece
- circuitClosed electrical pathway
- microelectronicsTiny circuit component engineering
integrated circuit · detector · amplifier · radio · fiber optics · photodetector · spectrometer · high-frequency
Element straddling two classes
- periodic tableSystematic display of elements
- silveryPale metallic sheen
- brittleLiable to shatter
- MendeleevChemist who systematized elements
chemistry · atoms · protons · neutrons · electrons · valence electrons · isotopes · atomic mass
Heat-bearing electromagnetic waves
- lensLight-focusing curved glass
- windowGlass-fitted wall opening
- thermal imagingDetecting objects by warmth
- night visionAbility to see dimly
transparency · FLIR · optics · prism · longwave · transmittance
Light-to-current converter
- efficiencyProductive without waste
- thin-filmUltra-shallow material layer
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
- spacecraftVehicle for outer space
silicon
Metalloid in electronics
- dopingProhibited athletic drug use
- n-typeSemiconductor with electron majority
- p-typeHole-majority charge carrier semiconductor
transistor · diode · junction · carrier · mobility · conductivity · valence · substrate · wafer · crystal growth
transistor
Semiconductor signal switch
microelectronics · integrated circuit · detector · amplifier · radio · fiber optics · photodetector · spectrometer · high-frequency · legacy technology
metalloid
Element straddling two classes
- periodic tableSystematic display of elements
- silveryPale metallic sheen
- brittleLiable to shatter
Mendeleev · chemistry · atoms · protons · neutrons · electrons · valence electrons · isotopes · atomic mass · density
infrared
Heat-bearing electromagnetic waves
- lensLight-focusing curved glass
- windowGlass-fitted wall opening
- thermal imagingDetecting objects by warmth
night vision · transparency · FLIR · optics · prism · longwave · transmittance
solar cell
Light-to-current converter
- efficiencyProductive without waste
- thin-filmUltra-shallow material layer
- substrateUnderlying supporting material