Abstract:Germanium (Ge), a Ⅳb group element, exists in soil, rocks, animals, and plants in many organic or inorganic forms. While germanium dioxide (GeO_2) is the main natural inorganic type, the organic type has three subtypes. The application of both inorganic and organic germanium is increasing in recent years. Germanium has gradually replaced silicon in modern electronic industry, especially in integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing; germanium tetrachloride (GeCl_4) is employed in making the optical fibres for h...