AXT has signed a five-year contract with Azur Space Solar Power to supply germanium substrates to be used for the fabrication of triple-junction concentrator photovoltaic cells for space and terrestrial applications. The companies say that their collaboration efforts have resulted in average TJC conversion efficiencies of 40%.
Patrick Kilper, Azur's manager of supply management, said that "AXT has been a great partner to work with throughout the qualification process. Its germanium substrates consistently met our stringent requirements, and we are pleased that the company has its own source of germanium raw materials to ensure adequate supply as customer demand for our solar cells continues to rise."
The financial terms of the deal and the amount of Ge substrate materials to be provided have not been disclosed by the companies.