This element was discovered by C. Winkler in Freiberg, Germany in 1886. The name comes from Germania (Germany).
Ionization energies
GeI 7.9 eV, GeII 15.9 eV, GeIII 34.2 eV.
Absorption lines of GeI
| Group | V | III |
| S | 0.002 | |
| K0 | 0.034 | |
| Source: The value for the sun is from Lambert et al. (1969). | ||
Behavior in non-normal stars
GeI lines were announced as probably present in one star of the
Cr-Eu-Sr variety of Ap stars (Adelman et al. 1979). Ge II has been
observed in one Bp star of the Hg-Mn subgroup by Leckrone et al.
(1991a).
Isotopes
Ge has five stable isotopes, namely Ge 70, 72, 73, 74 and 76 as well as 12
short lived isotopes and isomers. The five stable isotopes represent in the
solar system 20%, 27%, 8%, 37% and 8% respectively of the Ge.
Origin
Ge isotopes are produced by different processes. Ge76 is produced only
by the
nuclear statistical equilibrium process but all the others are produced by
this process or the s process. Ge 72, 73 and 74 can also be produced by the
r process.
Published in "The Behavior of Chemical Elements in Stars", Carlos Jaschek and Mercedes Jaschek, 1995, Cambridge University Press.