Which semiconductor is most widely used and why? (Germanium vs. silicon) Assess the statement: “Germanium is the most widely used semiconductor material because it is stable at high temperatures.” Choose whether this statement is accurate.

Introduction / Context:
Semiconductor material choice shapes the electronics industry. Silicon dominates most logic, memory, analog, and power applications, while germanium and compound semiconductors fill niches. Understanding why helps students connect material properties to device performance and manufacturing.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Common materials: Si, Ge, GaAs, SiC, GaN, etc.
• Key parameters: bandgap, intrinsic carrier concentration, oxide quality, thermal stability, availability, and cost.

Concept / Approach:
Silicon is the most widely used semiconductor, not germanium. Reasons include: moderate bandgap (about 1.12 eV), very low intrinsic carrier concentration at room temperature compared to Ge, and, crucially, the ability to grow a high-quality native oxide (SiO2) for MOS technology. Silicon also offers better thermal stability than germanium, which has a smaller bandgap resulting in higher leakage at elevated temperatures. Thus, the statement is inaccurate in both material choice and reasoning.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Modern CMOS, memory, and analog ICs are silicon-based. Germanium appears in specialized heterojunctions (e.g., SiGe) for RF/analog speed benefits, not as the dominant substrate material.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing historical early transistors (some used Ge) with modern dominance; conflating niche materials with mainstream IC production.

Final Answer:
Incorrect