Silicon is preferred to germanium in most modern devices because silicon
Correct answer: B. tolerates higher temperatures and has a much smaller leakage current
- A. has a lower barrier potential
- B. tolerates higher temperatures and has a much smaller leakage current
- C. is a better conductor
- D. requires no doping
Explanation
Silicon's larger band gap means far fewer thermally generated carriers, so leakage is low and devices work reliably at higher temperatures, and it also forms a stable oxide that makes integrated circuits possible. Germanium's lower barrier of 0.3 V is an advantage in some low voltage detector circuits, which is why it has not vanished entirely. Silicon is also abundant and cheap.
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About PN Junction
A PN junction forms when p type and n type semiconductor regions meet, creating a depletion layer and a potential barrier. The topic covers forward and reverse bias, diode current voltage characteristics, breakdown and rectification, while distinguishing an ordinary junction diode from a transistor formed from multiple junctions.
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