Germanium
History
What sounds like dark forests, primitive barbarians, and combative ancestors is actually an element that the German chemist Clemens Winkler discovered in 1886 when isolating the mineral argyrodite and named after his beloved homeland: Germanium. In 1949, the "industrial career" of the metal began, which is predominantly found as a byproduct in copper, lead, and zinc ores. Today, it is often extracted from the fly ash of germanium-containing hard coal.
Properties
Germanium is one of the rarest metals on Earth. The silver-glossy element melts at just under 1000 °C and boils at 2820 °C. According to the latest definition, Germanium is classified as a semiconductor. Its density anomaly continues to amaze scientists: the density of Germanium is lower in its solid state than in its liquid state.
Applications
Germanium is indispensable in our modern life. For a long time, it was the leading material in electronics. Today, it is predominantly used in fiber optics and infrared optics. Therefore, without Germanium, there would be no fiber optic cables for the Internet. Due to its rare ability to only let infrared light pass through, it is essential for the production of night vision devices.
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
Melting point | 937,4 °C |
Boiling Point | 2820 °C |
Specific Gravity | 5,32 g/cm³ |
Mass Fraction/Earth's Crust | 5,6 ppm |
Annual Production | ca. 140t |
Main producer | China |
Usage | **Fiber Optic Production, Night Vision Devices, High-Frequency Technology, Infrared Optics, Detector Technology |
Perspectives
The supply bottleneck for Germanium is expected to continue: The Fraunhofer Institute forecasts a significant increase in Germanium demand by 2030 due to new high-tech developments. In the application area of “fiber optic cables,” an eightfold increase in Germanium demand is even expected. A significant increase in demand is likely to be accompanied by a substantial increase in prices.
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