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Germanium and Infrared

Germanium is a rare, silver-colored semiconductor metal. Germanium has unique properties in the presence of infrared. Glass is almost completely transparent to light in the visible spectrum. In contrast, germanium is almost completely opaque. With infrared light, the opposite is true. Infrared passes easily passes through germanium, and not so well with glass. Germainium Block

Germainum was discovered 1886 by Clemens Winkler, a German chemist. The name germanium derives from the Latin word Germania (Germany).

Germanium is classified as a metalloid or semi-metal. It has properties of both metals and non-metals. It's unique properties make it ideal for infrared camera lenses.

These unique properties are one of the reasons the Germanium Power Pad was created. It was found that the germanium would intensify the infrared.

Properties

  • Atomic Symbol: Ge
  • Atomic Number: 32
  • Element Category: Metalloid
  • Density: 5.323 g/cm3
  • Melting Point: 1720.85 °F (938.25 °C)
  • Boiling Point: 5131 °F (2833 °C)
  • Mohs hardness: 6.0