Germanium is a lustrous, gray metalloid with semiconductor properties historically important in transistors and modern infrared optics.
Properties of Germanium | It has semiconducting band structure, forms stable oxides and is chemically similar to silicon in many respects.
Uses of Germanium | Found in trace amounts in ores, germanium is used in fiber optics, infrared detectors, solar cells and semiconductor applications.
Isotopes of Germanium | Stable isotopes include Ge 70 to Ge 76; germanium compounds are of low toxicity but fine dusts require handling controls.