Why is silicon most preferred to germanium?

Silicon is most preferred to germanium for several reasons:

1. Silicon has a higher bandgap energy than germanium, which means it can operate at higher temperatures and is less susceptible to thermal noise. This makes silicon more reliable for use in electronic devices.

2. Silicon has a higher electron mobility than germanium, which means it can conduct electricity more efficiently. This results in faster and more efficient electronic devices.

3. Silicon is more abundant and less expensive than germanium, making it a more cost-effective option for mass production of electronic devices.

4. Silicon has a higher breakdown voltage than germanium, making it more suitable for high-power applications.

5. Silicon has a wider operating temperature range than germanium, making it more versatile for use in a variety of electronic devices.

Overall, these factors make silicon the preferred choice for most electronic applications over germanium.

- Higher bandgap: Silicon has a wider bandgap (1.1 eV) compared to germanium (0.66 eV). This means that silicon can withstand higher voltages without breaking down, making it more suitable for high-power applications.


- Higher thermal conductivity: Silicon has a higher thermal conductivity than germanium. This means that silicon can dissipate heat more efficiently, which is important for preventing overheating in electronic devices.


- Higher carrier mobility: Silicon has a higher carrier mobility than germanium. This means that electrons and holes can move through silicon more easily, resulting in higher device efficiency.


- More abundant: Silicon is more abundant than germanium in the Earth's crust, making it more cost-effective to produce.