Main uses of germanium
Germanium-Metallurgy

In 2007, the main uses of germanium worldwide were as follows:

• PET catalysts: 31% ;

• fibre optics: 24% ;

• infrared optics: 23% ;

• electronics and solar applications: 12% ;

• other (phosphorescent agents, metallurgy, chemotherapy...), 10%. .

• Optical fibers

  GeO₂-doped silica glass is transparent to the near IR, which is the part of the IR spectrum used in transmission by conventional optical fibers. The characteristics, which result from the doping, are a high refractive index and low chromatic dispersion.

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