Question

Analyze the relationship among germanium, gallium arsenide, and zinc selenide. Does it make sense that GaAs and ZnSe should also be good semiconductors?

Answer 1

Germanium has the diamond structure, which is the same as the sphalerite structure. It is same as that of one of the two packing arrangements of zinc sulphide. In this, the atoms are identical and occupying both anion and cation sites in the lattice. Gallium arsenide (GaAs), zinc selenide (ZnSe) are examples for the “combo” elements compound. These compounds are also adopting this same sphalerite crystal structure. These types of “combo” compounds are truly isoelectronic. The two elements do not necessarily have to come from the same period; thus, more generally, we can say the sum of the valence electrons must add up to eight. This electron relationship is known as the Zintl principle. Gallium arsenide (GaAs) is a importent III-V semiconductor (III rd group and Vth group). This semiconductor is used in supercomputer. Zinc selenide (ZnSe) is a II-VI semiconductor. It is more sensitive in infrared light and can be used in some diagnostic systems.