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Why were germanium transistors used before silicon transistors became common?

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Germanium transistors were used before silicon transistors primarily because of the state of material science during and immediately following World War II. During this period, researchers had already developed effective methods for purifying germanium to the extreme degree required for semiconductor devices, where even one part per billion of impurities could disrupt performance.1

In contrast, silicon was significantly more difficult to work with due to its higher melting temperature and greater chemical reactivity. While silicon eventually became the industry standard because it is more abundant, less expensive, and capable of operating at higher temperatures than germanium, these advantages could not be realized until advanced purification and manufacturing technologies were developed in the late 1950s.21

Furthermore, silicon's ability to form a protective, insulating silicon dioxide layer—which is essential for modern integrated circuits—was a critical property that was not fully appreciated or utilized until after the initial era of germanium-based electronics.12