gallium arsenide

Gallium arsenide (chemical formula GaAs) is a semiconductor compound used in some diode s, field-effect transistor s (FETs), and integrated circuit s (ICs). The charge carriers, which are mostly electron s,move at high speed among the atom s. Thismakes GaAs components useful at ultra-high radio frequencies, and in fast electronicswitching applications. GaAs devices generate less noise than most other types of semiconductorcomponents. This is important in weak-signal amplification.

Gallium arsenide is used in the manufacture of light-emitting diode s (LEDs), which are found in optical communications and control systems. Gallium arsenide can replace silicon in the manufacture of linear ICs and digital ICs. Linear (also called analog ) devices include oscillator s and amplifier s. Digital devices are used for electronic switching, and also in computersystems.

Last updated on: Sep 21, 2005

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