Are We Running Out of Gallium? The Future of GaAs Wafers and Challenges to Come

Silicon is a reliable material for semiconductors due to its wide availability. Nevertheless, silicon's properties are simply not as satisfying for certain applications, such as infrared lights, solar cells, and laser diodes, making GaAs wafers the go-to choice. Gallium arsenide is a compound semiconductor that offers a direct bandgap and high electron mobility, making it ideal for optical and high-frequency applications.

Nevertheless, gallium may become harder to find as providers reduce and limit exports of this limited material. Here, we’ll explain why and explore what consequences this could have for the U.S.

Does the U.S. Have a Stockpile of Gallium?

Unlike rare earths or lithium, most countries haven’t traditionally stockpiled gallium in large quantities.

In the U.S., gallium is not included in the National Defense Stockpile (NDS), which the U.S. Department of Defense oversees. The NDS contains materials deemed critical for national security and defense readiness, like rare earth elements, titanium, and certain alloys—but gallium hasn’t historically made the cut.

Are We Running Out of Gallium?

We’re not running out of gallium, but its availability is getting more complicated due to geopolitical, economic, and industrial factors.

Gallium is not rare in Earth's crust—just hard to economically extract. Extracting it as a byproduct of the production of zinc and aluminum is more efficient than mining it directly. Since 1987, not a single gram of gallium has been refined in the United States.

In fact, 80–90% of the world's gallium is produced in China. In mid-2023, this nation restricted the export of gallium and germanium, which put additional strain on supply chains and raised the possibility of shortages in vital tech sectors. Moreover, the impact of potential new tariffs coming from the U.S. may complicate the situation even more.

Exploring the Future of GaAs Wafers

If the demand for gallium keeps growing and major producers like China restrict supply, we may face shortages or price hikes. However, experts believe extinction-level scarcity is not a worry.

Indium phosphide can sometimes replace gallium arsenide, but not in all applications. As an alternative, recycled GaAs wafers may be suitable for certain applications. If you need help finding the right semiconductor for your project, contact Wafer World!

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