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How are Silicon diodes different from Germanium diodes?

Power Diodes

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Editorial Team - everything PE

Apr 26, 2023

Silicon diodes and germanium diodes are two-terminal power diodes that conduct current only in one direction. However, there are some key differences between these two types of diodes. Silicon has a higher bandgap energy than germanium, which means that silicon diodes can withstand higher temperatures and have better-switching characteristics than germanium diodes.

Another difference is that silicon diodes have a higher forward voltage drop than germanium diodes, which means that they require a higher voltage to turn on and conduct current. This can make silicon diodes less suitable for low-voltage applications.

Finally, silicon diodes have a lower reverse leakage current than germanium diodes, which means that they are better at blocking current in the reverse direction. This makes silicon diodes more suitable for applications that require high reverse voltage blocking capabilities, such as power supplies and voltage regulators.

Parameters	Silicon Diode	Germanium Diode
Material	Silicon Semiconductor Material	Germanium Semiconductor Material
Forward Voltage Drop	Higher forward voltage drop (0.6-0.7V)	Lower forward voltage drop (0.2-0.3V)
Maximum Operating Temperature	Higher maximum operating temperature (up to 150°C)	Lower maximum operating temperature (up to 75°C)
Reverse Current	Lower reverse current	Higher reverse current
Reverse Breakdown Voltage	Higher reverse breakdown voltage	Lower reverse breakdown voltage
Switching Speed	Slower switching speed	Faster switching speed
Sensitivity to Temperature Changes	Lower sensitivity to temperature changes	Higher sensitivity to temperature changes
Noise Level	Lower noise level	Higher noise level