Germanium Diode Leakage

[Khas Evets]

Do Ge diodes have the same leakage problems that Ge transistors do?

[Ge_Whiz]

Only in the sense that they 'leak' current in one direction and not in the other - as any diode does. I do have some 'reject' germanium diodes that leak severely in the 'reverse' direction but, then again, they were bought as rejects, dirt cheap.

The issue in germanium transistors is that you have two junctions between emitter and collector, and there should not be excessive leakage between both junctions.

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

Ge diodes aren't 'leaky' in the sense that if you buy a bunch, you will have to reject some for 'leakage'.
But they do share one thing with Ge transistors, they are more temperature sensitive than Si diodes, so if you are matching them for a passive ring modulator, you have to be sure not to touch them by hand, or have them in a draft.