A mixture of elements that retains its composition in both solid and liquid form: there is no segregation of the components. Eutectic mixtures are often used to form electrical contacts, usually ohmic contacts, to semiconductor devices. For example, a gold-germanium eutectic mixture (88:12 w/o Au:Ge) is used as the basis of ohmic contacts to n-type gallium arsenide, where the gold provides the metallic contact and the germanium dopes heavily the surface of the gallium arsenide. The eutectic is evaporated from a solid source and retains its composition on condensation on the semiconductor surface.