AXT Gets 5-year Contract for Germanium Substrates with Azur Space
Source/Type: News - Staff reports

Author: CompoundSemi News Staff

February 3, 2010... AXT, Inc., a manufacturer of compound semiconductor substrates, has been awarded a 5-year contract for germanium (Ge) substrates with Azur Space Solar Power GmbH, a provider of solar cells for space and terrestrial applications. According to AXT, the contract is the result of a collaboration that enabled Azur Space to obtain an industry-leading 40 percent conversion efficiency rate in average for Triple Junction concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) solar cells and the 30 percent conversion efficiency rate in average for triple junction GaAs space solar cells. Germanium is a single-element substrate used to produce devices for photovoltaic applications including space and terrestrial solar cells. AXT is a leading supplier of germanium substrates and the company points out that it has its own source of germanium raw material through its China joint venture.

"We are very pleased to announce our successful partnership with Azur Space," said Morris Young, chief executive officer of AXT, Inc. "Since 1964, Azur Space has been at the forefront of the development of solar technology and we are excited that our collaboration over the past months has resulted in one of the highest conversion efficiency rates in the industry, further advancing the potential of this important triple junction CPV technology. We are thrilled to be working with them and look forward to a long and prosperous relationship." AXT News Release

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