Do germanium transistors sound better?

Do germanium transistors sound better?

Germanium transistors have a wider and rounded one. This gives a less strident tone, as well in slight overdrive as in hard clipping.

Can I replace germanium transistor with silicon?

You cannot replace germanium transistors with silicon transistors. All voltages, operating conditions and components have to be redesigned.

Why does it matter whether a transistor is germanium or silicon?

Peak Inverse Voltage ratings of Silicon diodes are greater than Germanium diodes. Si is less expensive due to the greater abundance of element. Germanium parts had their heyday during the first decade of semiconductor electronics, before being widely replaced by ultra-high purity silicon parts.

Why germanium is not used in transistors?

The structure of Germanium crystals will be destroyed at higher temperature. However, Silicon crystals are not easily damaged by excess heat. Peak Inverse Voltage ratings of Silicon diodes are greater than Germanium diodes.

Are germanium transistors still made?

Most germanium transistor production ceased in the 1970s in favor of silicon which are more stable, consistent, have higher gain, and lower leakage.

What is the difference between silicon and germanium transistors?

The main difference between germanium and silicon transistors in switching circuits, be they either PNP or NPN transistors is that VBE for small germanium is about 0.3 volts whilst those of silicon are about 0.7 volts.

What are the advantages of silicon over germanium?

Silicon is abundant on the earth’s surface and therefore cheaper than germanium. The PIV (Peak Inverse Voltage) rating of silicon is much higher than germanium and therefore can withstand much higher temperatures than germanium.

Are germanium transistors still used?

Why is silicon transistor more commonly used compared to germanium transistor?

Silicon as a semiconductor has wider bandgap than germanium and therefore it can be operated at a much higher temperature up to 120 degree centigrade . It interstice concentration is much less than Ge and therefore the reverse saturation current has much less values for Si which means less of currents.

What is silicon and germanium used for?

Silicon–germanium is an important material that is used for the fabrication of SiGe heterojunction bipolar transistors and strained Si metal–oxide– semiconductor (MOS) transistors for advanced complementary metal—oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) and BiCMOS (bipolar CMOS) technologies.

Is germanium better than silicon?

However, the germanium diode has one major advantage over Si. Ge has higher electron and hole mobility and because of this Ge devices can function up to a higher frequency than Si devices. The germanium diode is also superior to silicon diode in terms of energy loss, current loss, etc.

Are there any germanium high frequency transistors left?

However the AF121 and AF125 are no longer available, nor are any other high frequency germanium transistors. Another alternative is to fit modern silicon transistors. Since the bias voltage is different (0.2V to 0.3V for germanium and 0.6V to 0.7V for silicon), the biasing arrangements need to be changed to suit.

Are there any germanium diodes left in the world?

Germanium diodes tend to deteriorate rather than completely die; often showing increased reverse leakage and increased forward resistance. A few germanium diodes (such as the OA47) are still available, but as with germanium transistors, their days must be numbered.

Why do you need a silicon transistor for a stereo amplifier?

If you change the output transitors to silicon, you will need to use a silicon transistor here to and re-set the bias to reduce crossover distortion. I worked for a famous Hi.Fi amplifier company that produced a stereo 30 watt amplifier.

Where does silicone grease go in a transistor?

Where you to open it up, you would find that the encapsulation surrounding the transistor contains silicone grease and an air space inside the metal can. From the inside wall of the can in the air space grow microscopic hairs (0.008mm across) of an unidentified medium which is tough, springy and electrically conductive.