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January 6, 2010...XsunX of Aliso Viejo, California USA announced the completion of a fully-functional copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-film solar device.
The company is reportedly pioneering a hybrid solar cell technology that adapts manufacturing processes from the hard disk drive (HDD) industry to produce CIGS solar cells deposited on stainless steel substrate with “pseudo square” configuration. XsunX believes that this can replace traditional silicon wafer solar cells.
“With this completed sample we have reached a critical milestone in our development process, achieved through the vigilant efforts of our engineers and trusted business partner,” said Tom Djokovich, CEO, XsunX, Inc. “This initial achievement illustrates a realistic set of company goals and demonstrates the strength of our relationships with the business and technical expertise that kept us on track.”
“Approaches to mass-scale production of CIGS thin-film cells today introduce processing defects that significantly reduce cell performance,” said Robert Wendt, CTO, XsunX, Inc. “Because we are leveraging stationary small-area, high-rate, production technologies and not scaling up to large area processing, we’re able to strive for laboratory-metric conversion efficiencies.”
XsunX says it will evaluate data concerning performance and conversion efficiency to continue to fine-tune each cell layer based on input collected from small-area devices. Ultimately the company hopes to perfect its engineering designs. XsunX News Release
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Mitsubishi Electric to Ship InGaP HBT Power Amplifier for WiMAX Terminals
CompoundSemi News StaffJanuary 6, 2010...Mitsubishi Electric Corporation of Tokyo, is reportedly selling a new InGaP HBT power amplifier, the MGFS38E2527, for use in WiMAX2 subscriber terminal equipment. The company notes that the module measures just 4 mm x 4 mm, and produces high output power of 28.5 dBm3 with low distortion. Sample shipments will commence on January 25, 2010.
The power amp reportedly offers worldwide interoperability for microwave access with a 75 Mbps high-speed wireless communication system having a range of 50 kilometers, in the case of fixed wireless access.
According to the company the device will help extend the communication range between WiMAX base stations and terminals. The company notes that there is a growing need for compact power amplifiers for installation in WiMAX terminals such as PC cards and customer premises equipment to deliver high output with low distortion, while maintaining high radio signal quality.
Previously Mitsubishi Electric released a series of InGaP HBT power amplifiers, the small-size MGFS36Exxxx for WiMAX terminals used in mobile and fixed-line communications, and the MGFS39Exxxx, which features industry-leading output power combined with low distortion. The company now adds the new MGFS38E2527 power amplifier to this lineup. The company says that compared to existing models, this newest amplifier provides more power and less distortion in a smaller package.
Mitsubishi Electric News Release
Solyndra, Inc. Files for IPO
CompoundSemi News StaffJanuary 4, 2010...Solyndra, Inc., a Fremont, California-based maker of cylindrical copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) photovoltaic systems for commercial rooftops, has filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for the proposed initial public offering of its common stock.
Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.
will be the joint book-running managers of the proposed offering. The company hopes to raise $300 million with its initial public offering.
During 2009 Solyndra opened its European headquarters, got a $535 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy, broke ground on a 500 MW solar plant, signed a framework agreement with Italy’s Sun System for about $105 Million, and signed a framework agreement with a German roofing company.
(Ref: Past Solyndra News),
Solyndra New Release Ritek to Invest Additional NT$800 in CIGS Thin-film PV Module Joint Venture
CompoundSemi News StaffJanuary 4, 2010...Ritek, a maker of blank optical disks located in Taiwan will reportedly invest an additional NT$800 million in PVNext, a copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-film PV module joint venture with Scheuten Solar Holding BV of the Netherlands. Ritek's additional investment will bring its stake in the venture up to 40 percent, according to Ritek and a Digitimes article.
Ritek noted in the article that the reason for the added investment is because PVNext will issue new shares to raise NT$2billion additional paid-in capital.
PVNext has reportedly succeeded in trial production of 600 x 1,200mm CIGS thin-film PV modules with an energy conversion rate of 17%. Ritek said in the article that PVNext plans to start volume production in the first quarter of 2010.
The joint venture was established in October 2008. Other stake holders in PVNext include National Development Fund of Taiwan, Scheuten Solar Holding BV of the Netherlands, and Ritek's Subsidiary U-Tech Media Corp.
Fairchild and Infineon Settle Patent Dispute with Cross License Agreement
CompoundSemi News StaffDecember 30, 2009...Fairchild Semiconductor and Infineon have apparently settled their patent dispute, which began in November 2008. The dispute was settled with a patent cross licensing agreement. The dispute relates to fourteen U.S. patents concerning power transistors and metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs). Terms of the licensing agreement were not disclosed.
Infineon reports that it is also in patent licensing discussions with other semiconductor companies. Fairchild Semiconductor News Release II-VI Incorporated Announces Agreement to Acquire Photop Technologies, Inc.
CompoundSemi News StaffDecember 30, 2009...II-VI Incorporated of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Photop Technologies, Inc. (Photop).
Photop of Fuzhou, China deals in optics, lasers, fiber optics and photonic crystal materials.
The initial consideration for the acquisition consists of cash of approximately $45.6 million and approximately 1,150,000 shares of II-VI common stock. Also, the agreement offers earn-out opportunities based upon Photop achieving certain future financial targets and is subject to customary closing adjustments. The shareholders and board of directors of Photop and the board of directors of II-VI have approved definitive agreement. The transaction is scheduled to close during January 2010.
"We are excited to partner with Photop to combine efforts and enhance our collective expertise in crystal materials and optics," said Carl J. Johnson, Chairman of II-VI Incorporated. "Led by its strong, experienced and skilled management team, Photop has developed very impressive technology and a robust component product portfolio in the growing photonics markets and offers immediate access to the growing Chinese markets for engineered materials and components, including the optical communications and micro-optics display markets." II-VI Inc. News Release
3S Photonics to Acquire Avensys and its Canadian Subsidiaries
CompoundSemi News StaffDecember 21, 2009...3S Photonics, a French manufacturer of optical and optoelectronic components for telecommunications networks, has entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire Avensys Group subsidiaries, Avensys Inc. and ITF Laboratories Inc., for a total of 6.5 million Euros.
The holding company Avensys Corp., owns two companies: Avensys Inc, its wholly-owned subsidiary and ITF Laboratories Inc., in which it owns a 42% interest. The majority of the remaining shares belong to the Canadian State. Avensys Inc. employs 200 people. It designs, manufactures and distributes optical components and modules for the telecom market as well as high power devices, sub-assemblies and fiber-based sensors for the industrial market. It also develops environmental monitoring solutions and services for air, water, soil and geo-structures.
ITF Laboratories handles Avensys's research & development and produces integrated Photonics solutions and reliable components and fiber-based systems for fiber lasers and optical sensing applications. Upon closing, assets of Avensys Inc.'s two divisions, Avensys Technologies and Avensys Solutions, and the assets of ITF Laboratories Inc., will be merged with 3S Photonics. The closing of the sale is expected in January 2010.
"We are proud of this acquisition, which corresponds to the implementation of the external growth strategy that we planned last July when we raised funds. We are also delighted to welcome such a great company, armed with know-how which will complement our own, and to establish links across the Atlantic with our Canadian friends," declared Alexandre Krivine, President and CEO of 3S Photonics. 3S Photonics News Release Oclaro to Acquire Xtellus
CompoundSemi News StaffDecember 21, 2009...Optical component maker Oclaro (a company formed from the merging of Avenex and Bookham), reports that it will acquire Xtellus a provider of reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer (ROADM) technologies for agile optical networking systems. With the acquisition, Oclaro will add wavelength selective switches which can power ROADM applications.
Oclaro points out that WSS is one of the fastest growing segments of the optical component market, and that the acquisition of Xtellus will play an important role in its continuing growth. Oclaro indicated that the acquisition also completes the overall portfolio of product areas required to support the metro and long haul applications in the telecommunication market.
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