Apr 19 2013
Gallium antimonide (GaSb) is a semiconductor made of antimony and gallium belonging to the III to V semiconductor family. The lattice constant of GaSb is 0.61 nm. The unique lattice structure of GaSb enables its use in sophisticated semiconductor applications. For example, researchers at the Centre for Quantum Devices, Northwestern University, in January 2013 developed the first-ever dual-mode passive and active infrared camera chip made of gallium antimonide/indium arsenide.
Applications
Gallium antimonide finds applications in:
- Infrared detectors,
- Infrared LEDs,
- Transistors
- Lasers
- Thermophotovoltaic systems
Chemical Properties
The chemical properties of gallium antimonide are provided in the table below:
| Chemical Properties |
| Chemical Formula |
GaSb |
| Molecular Weight |
191.483 g/mol |
| CAS No. |
12064-03-8 |
| IUPAC Name |
Gallium (III) antimonide |
| Group |
III-V |
| Band Gap |
0.726 eV |
| Band Gap Type |
Indirect |
| Crystal Structure |
Zinc Blende |
| Symmetry Group |
Td2-F43m |
| Lattice Constant |
6.09593 Angstroms |
Electrical Properties
The electrical properties of gallium antimonide are provided in the table below:
| Electrical Properties |
| Intrinsic Carrier Concentration |
1.5x1012cm-3 |
| Electron Mobility |
≤ 3000 cm2 V-1 s-1 |
| Hole Mobility |
≤ 1000 cm2 V-1 s-1 |
| Electron Diffusion Coefficient |
≤ 75 cm2 s-1 |
| Hole Diffusion Coefficient |
≤ 25 cm2 s-1 |
Thermal, Mechanical and Optical Properties
The thermal, mechanical and optical properties of gallium antimonide are provided in the tables below:
| Mechanical Properties |
| Melting Point |
712 °C |
| Density |
5.614 g cm-3 |
| Bulk Modulus |
5.63•1011 dyn cm-2 |
| Thermal Properties |
| Thermal Conductivity |
0.32 W cm-1 °C-1 |
| Thermal Diffusivity |
0.23 cm2 s-1 |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient |
7.75x10-6 °C-1 |
| Optical Properties |
| Refractive Index (589 nm @ 293 K) |
3,8 |
| Radiative Recombination Coefficient (@ 300 K) |
10-10 cm3 s-1 |
Safety Information
| Safety Information |
| GHS Hazard Statements |
H302-Harmful if swallowed
H332-Harmful if inhaled
H401-Toxic to aquatic life |
| Safety Precautions |
S 61 |