The present disclosure is related to a method for the deposition of a continuous layer of germanium on a substrate by chemical vapor deposition. According to the disclosure, a mixture of a non-reactive carrier gas and a higher order germanium precursor gas, i.e. of higher order than germane (GeH4), is applied. In an example embodiment, the deposition is done under application of a deposition temperature between 275° C. and 500° C., with the partial pressure of the precursor gas within the mixture being at least 20 mTorr for temperatures between 275° C. and 285° C., and at least 10 mTorr for temperatures between 285° and 500° C.