What Is Gallium Arsenide (GaAs)?
Gallium arsenide is a semiconductor material with the composition formula GaAs and CAS registration number 1303-00-0. Known for its semiconductor properties, GaAs is used in various high-speed communication devices and solar cells.
Uses of Gallium Arsenide (GaAs)
GaAs is favored in the semiconductor industry for its high electron mobility, making it superior for solar cells and high-speed communication technologies compared to silicon. As a III-V semiconductor with a 1.43eV bandgap, it offers low leakage current and parasitic capacitance due to its semi-insulating substrate nature. Despite being more costly and challenging to process than silicon, GaAs enables high-speed operations and reduces power consumption by about one-third, facilitating device miniaturization.
Properties of Gallium Arsenide (GaAs)
GaAs is a gray crystalline solid at room temperature with a formula weight of 144.64 and a melting point of 1,238℃. It has a density of 5.32g/mL and features a zinc blende structure. GaAs can produce arsine, a toxic arsenic compound when exposed to acid or water vapor. It is poorly soluble in water but dissolves in hydrochloric acid, DMSO, 95% ethanol, methanol, and acetone.
Structure of Gallium Arsenide (GaAs)
GaAs maintains a stable zincblende structure at room temperature, similar to ZnS, HgS, and CuCl. While it has weak toxicity on its own, its reaction with acids or water vapor to produce arsine poses significant risks.
Types of Gallium Arsenide (GaAs)
GaAs is primarily available for industrial applications as powder, wafers, and epitaxial wafers. These forms are essential in creating components for mobile communications, wireless LANs, and optical disk drives.
Other Information about Gallium Arsenide (GaAs)
Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) Safety Information
GaAs is a Group 1 carcinogen according to the IARC, posing risks to fertility, the blood and immune systems, and respiratory and reproductive organs upon repeated exposure. It is regulated under various laws for its hazardous nature, requiring correct handling and compliance with safety regulations.