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Translucent is developing a unique family of ‘rare earth oxide’ (REO) semiconductor materials which enable a new class of low-cost silicon wafer-based substrates, with commercial applications in the photonics, semiconductor and solar PV industries.
www.translucentinc.com
Background
Translucent has been developing advanced materials, principally insulating rare earth oxides (REO’s) in its state-of-the-art development facility in Palo Alto, California, since 2001.
The initial research and development activities focused on applications in the photonics and semiconductor industries.
By incorporating REO’s onto well-established semiconductor materials such as silicon, and making them compatible with industrial processes, the original photonics applications have been expanded to include photovoltaics and power electronics, with a common theme of using the REO’s to develop low cost “on-silicon” solutions.
REO Technology – Commercial Applications
Several industries are forced to use high-cost non-silicon substrates for high-end semiconductor device applications. For example, high cost substrates such as germanium, sapphire and silicon carbide are commonly used for fabrication of many industrial devices.
Translucent’s innovative REO platform could enable these industries to use large low-cost silicon wafers, potentially overcoming traditional barriers (such as wafer bowing and cracking), in the highly prized transition to silicon wafers.
Translucent is commercialising this technology with a focus on applications in three key markets:
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LED Lighting substrates
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Power Electronics devices
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CPV Solar cell substrates
Commercial Progress
LED Lighting substrates
Translucent has engaged with customers in the USA and Asia, with strong interest to test Mirrored-Si™ wafers for LED fabrication. Repeat commercial orders for sample evaluations (up to 150mm wafers) have been filled. Work continues for the development of commercial-grade substrates and full validation by commercial customers.
Power Electronics devices
Translucent has engaged with customers in the USA, Europe and Asia with strong interest for 100mm and 150mm vGaN™ wafers for FET device fabrication and testing. Additionally, Translucent is developing higher margin vFET™ wafers for evaluation and customer-validation vGaN™ and vFET™ wafers.
CPV Solar cell substrates
The application of Translucent’s REO-based ‘virtual germanium’ (vGe
TM) substrates may potentially result in significant cost reductions for ultra high efficiency multi-junction solar cells, currently operating at around 40 percent efficiency. Translucent’s initial engagement in the PV solar industry has been with customers in the USA and Europe. The solar application project has received a $2 million funding grant from the Australian Solar Institute, which will help accelerate the commercialisation of this product.
Further information can be accessed on the Translucent
website.