Germanium

Germanium: uses

The following uses for germanium are gathered from a number of sources as well as from anecdotal comments. I'd be delighted to receive corrections as well as additional referenced uses (please use the feedback mechanism to add uses).

• doped with arsenic, gallium, or other elements for use as a transistor element. Its application as a semiconductor provides the largest use for germanium
• alloying agent
• phosphor in fluorescent lamps
• a catalyst
• germanium and germanium oxide are transparent to the infrared and are used in infrared spectroscopes and other optical equipment, including extremely sensitive infrared detectors. Also for wide-angle camera lenses and microscope objectives.
• possible chemotherapy applications?
• use as a gamma-radiation detector

WebElements Shop

WebElements now has an online shop at which you can buy periodic table posters, mugs, T-shirts, games, molecular models, and more.