Ultra high purity germanium is a type of germanium that has a very high level of purity, often 99.9999% or higher. This is achieved through a purification process that removes impurities to a very low level. Ultra high purity germanium is often used in the production of high-quality semiconductor materials and devices, as well as in other applications where the purity of the material is critical.
Germanium is an n-type dopant, which means it introduces negative charge carriers (electrons) into the material it is added to, making it more conductive. This is useful for creating n-type semiconductors, which are used in electronic devices for their ability to conduct electrical current.
To purify germanium to ultra high purity levels, various techniques can be used, including zone refining, chemical purification, and distillation. The purity of the germanium can be verified using analytical techniques such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) or energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS).
There are several types of germanium that can be used as a source in MBE systems, including:
- Germanium metal: This is a solid form of germanium that can be evaporated in an MBE system.
- Germanium compounds: Germanium can also be used
