Home >> Science & Nature >> Science

Reasons Why Silicon Is the Semiconductor for Electronics

Materials that conduct electricity well, such as copper, are called conductors. Materials that do not conduct electricity well, such as glass, are called insulators. Semiconductors can act as insulators or conductors, depending on their construction and temperature. This is due to the atomic properties of the elements involved. Of all of the elements and compounds that semiconductors can be made with, silicon is the most common. It is easy to obtain, easy to modify and can function at high temperatures.

Availability and Cost
- Silicon is far more available than germanium, another element that has semiconducting properties. The silicon used to make semiconductors is typically obtained from sand, which is silicon dioxide. An extensive purification process is involved, though the abundance of sand for use in component production results in the lower cost of silicon. Though prices change based on the world economy, silicon always tends to be significantly cheaper than germanium. As of the date of publication, a kilogram of semiconductor-grade silicon can cost around $30, whereas a kilogram of germanium can cost around $1,800.
Temperature Stability
- Silicon offers far greater temperature stability than germanium. While germanium components begin to lose functionality around 70 degrees Celsius, silicon components can function up to 125 degrees Celsius. If computers were made with germanium components, they might completely cease to function in hot conditions. Hence, silicon is a far better material to use when temperature stability is an important concern.
Leakage
- Silicon components also exhibit less current leakage than ones that are make from germanium. Semiconductor components such as transistors and diodes allow current to be controlled in a circuit. If the internal structure of the materials is deficient, current will leak through components in undesired ways. This is far more prevalent in germanium-based components than silicon.
Other Semiconductor Materials
- Semiconductors can be made from a number of other compounds that have similarly perfect covalent bonds. Gallium arsenide is another popular semiconductor compound. It is a compound made of gallium and arsenic -- these elements, when combined, respond to changes in electrical charge quicker than silicon. They tend to be used for high frequency circuits. Gallium arsenide components can be constructed with extremely high precision, but they are more expensive to make than silicon components -- and therefore, they are not as widely used.

Science