ALUMINIUM ARSENIDE Meaning and
Definition
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Aluminium arsenide is a chemical compound that consists of the elements aluminium and arsenic. It is classified as a III-V direct bandgap semiconductor. The compound is commonly represented by the chemical formula AlAs.
Aluminium arsenide is a crystalline solid that is typically grayish or black in color. It has a high melting point and a density of about 4.64 grams per cubic centimeter. The structure of this compound is a zincblende lattice, which is a crystal structure commonly found in other III-V semiconductors.
This compound is primarily used in the field of electronics and semiconductor technology. It has several desirable properties that make it suitable for various applications. For example, aluminium arsenide exhibits high thermal stability and excellent electrical conductivity. It is often employed as a substrate or buffer layer in the production of various optoelectronic devices, such as high-speed transistors, lasers, and solar cells.
Furthermore, aluminium arsenide has a wide bandgap, which means it can emit light in the infrared region. This property makes it useful for infrared detectors and other photonics applications. The compound's optical properties also allow for its utilization in the development of efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and optical sensors.
However, it is important to note that aluminium arsenide is known to be toxic and may pose health hazards if mishandled. Therefore, proper safety precautions should be followed when working with this compound.
Etymology of ALUMINIUM ARSENIDE
The word "aluminium" has its origins in the Latin word "alumen", which means "alum", a sulfate mineral. The modern term "aluminium" was coined by Sir Humphry Davy in 1808 when he first isolated the element. Upon its discovery, Davy named the element "alumium", which he later changed to "aluminum" to keep the word in line with other elements ending in "-ium".
The word "arsenic" has its roots in the Greek word "arsenikon", meaning "yellow arsenic ore". Arsenic itself was known and used by ancient civilizations, including the Greeks, Egyptians, and Romans.
When these two elements are combined, resulting in the compound "aluminium arsenide", the naming convention follows the general rules of chemical nomenclature.
