Terminology » RF Components » GaAs Advantages and Disadvantages

GaAs Advantages and Disadvantages

semiconductor gallium arsenide material advantage disadvantage

This page covers the advantages and disadvantages of Gallium Arsenide (GaAs). It outlines the benefits and drawbacks of using GaAs in various applications.

What is GaAs? Introduction

  • GaAs is a compound semiconductor made of Gallium (Ga) and Arsenic (As).
  • It’s a III-V direct band-gap semiconductor with a zinc blende crystal structure.
  • GaAs finds widespread use in manufacturing Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMICs), Microwave Integrated Circuits (MICs), Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), laser diodes, optical windows, solar cells, and more.
  • It also serves as a substrate material for the epitaxial growth of other semiconductors, such as aluminum gallium arsenide and indium gallium arsenide.
  • It is a direct gap semiconductor with an energy gap of 1.43 eV.

Benefits or Advantages of GaAs

The following are the benefits or advantages of using GaAs:

  • High Electron Mobility: GaAs boasts very high electron mobility, allowing for faster and more efficient electronic devices.
  • Thermal Stability: GaAs cells are relatively insensitive to heat compared to silicon cells, offering greater thermal stability.
  • Lower Noise: GaAs devices exhibit lower noise levels, which is crucial in sensitive applications.
  • Wide Temperature Range: GaAs can operate effectively over a wide temperature range.
  • Space Applications: Due to its high efficiency and resistance to radiation, GaAs is widely used in space applications like solar panels for satellites.

Drawbacks or Disadvantages of GaAs

The following are the disadvantages of using GaAs:

  • No Natural Oxide: Unlike silicon, GaAs doesn’t grow a native oxide equivalent to SiO2, which is important for certain fabrication processes.
  • Higher Production Cost: The single crystal GaAs substrate has a higher production cost compared to silicon.
  • Brittle Wafers: GaAs wafers are more brittle compared to silicon wafers, making them more prone to breakage during manufacturing.
  • Small Ingot Size: GaAs ingots are typically smaller (around 4 inches).
  • Material Availability and Toxicity: Gallium is rarer than gold and often a byproduct of other metals like aluminum and zinc. Arsenic, while not rare, is poisonous. This impacts cost and handling procedures.