Electronic, magnetic & optical materials · Semiconductors
Gallium arsenide semiconductor
A III–V semiconductor with high electron mobility and direct band gap, used in radio-frequency electronics, optoelectronics and high-efficiency solar cells.
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01
Overview
- Material class
- Electronic, magnetic & optical materials
- Category
- Semiconductors
- Family
- Compound Semiconductor
- Product forms
- Not specified
Composition
| Constituent | Min | Max | Typical | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ga | 48.2 | stoichiometric mass % | ||
| As | 51.8 | stoichiometric mass % |
02
Properties and conditions
Engineering properties
| Property | Value | Unit | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 5.32 | g/cm³ | Representative; verify product form and condition |
| Band gap | 1.42 | eV | 300 K |
| Electron mobility | ~8500 | cm²/V·s | 300 K, high purity |
| Thermal conductivity | ~46–55 | W/m·K | Representative; verify product form and condition |
| Melting point | ~1238 | °C | Representative; verify product form and condition |
| Wafer form | semi-insulating / doped | application dependent |
Conditions
Reference material state
Purity, orientation, doping and processing state must be stated.
03
Processing and use
Processing
- Semi-insulating substrates and epitaxial defect density govern device performance.
- Arsenic handling requires closed, controlled semiconductor processes.
Applications
- RF power amplifiers
- Laser diodes
- Infrared LEDs
- Multijunction solar cells
Selection considerations
- More expensive and brittle than silicon but superior for selected RF/optoelectronic functions.
- Thermal management remains important in power devices.
04
Standards and related materials
Standards and designations
| System | Designation | Note |
|---|---|---|
| SEMI | GaAs wafer specifications | supplier/grade dependent |
05
Sources and context
Sources
- DOE critical materials: gallium semiconductorsExisting reference
- USGS gallium commodity summaryExisting reference
- U.S. Department of Energy critical materials programStrategic reference
Confirm the applicable specification, product form and condition before using values for design or procurement.
Supply and sustainability
Gallium is mostly a by-product of bauxite/zinc processing; wafer capacity is specialized and geographically concentrated.
High-value wafer reclaim and fab scrap recovery are practical; gallium recovery from dispersed devices is difficult.
Strategic context
Enables high-frequency communications, radar, laser diodes and space photovoltaic systems.
Critical inputs: Gallium, Arsenic
Basis: EU Critical Raw Materials Act (2024); USGS 2025 Critical Minerals List; US DOE Critical Materials Assessment (2023)