Research and Development

Solar cell Quantum Efficiency (QE) test set-up

Research on novel materials for solar energy - spectral conversion

We have demonstrated the ability to harvest regions of the solar spectrum that are beyond the responsivity region of silicon solar cells. We have done this using the nonlinear optical process of upconversion by two-photon absorption. The process requires high intensities of light, and might one day be appropriate for Solar CPV applications.

We have a well developed solar testing capability to characterize all relevant parameters of our solar cells and the upconversion process itself.


Research on novel materials for Silicon Photonics – silicon emitters (perhaps eventually silicon LED/laser)

Research on silicon based photonic emitters (with DARPA and Cal Tech) has allowed Translucent to explore the use of rare earth oxides as light emitters. Micro-emitter were fabricated (as can be seen in the photo) that glowed green when optical pumped. Translucent believes that with more development work, it might be possible to demonstrate LED action in similar structures. The photograph below shows a Microring resonator that consists of the monolithic integration of a Silicon-Optical-Amplifier (SOA) with a high-k & Silicon-on-Insulator CMOS circuit. The epitaxial material was fabricated at Translucent while the device fabrication ws complted at Caltech. The photomicrograph is courtesy of Caltech. This work was funded by DARPA grant number W911NF-05-3-0001 as part of the EPIC (Electronic & Photonic Integrated Circuits) program 2007.



Microring resonators Right Microring resonator: Monolithic Integration of Silicon-Optical-Amplifier with high-k & Silicon-on-Insulator CMOS. Material fabricated at Translucent, device fabrication at Caltech, photomicrograph courtesy of Caltech. This work was funded by DARPA grant number W911NF-05-3-0001 as part of the EPIC (Electronic & Photonic Integrated Circuits) program 2007.






Translucent News

  • 16-Feb-12 This year's Prism Awards videos are live on the Prism Awards Website.
  • 15-Feb-12 Michael Lebby to speak at SVC's Executive Forum, 12:30pm, 1-May-12, Santa Clara Convention Center.
  • 26-Jan-12 Michael Lebby presented the award for Green Photonics at the Prism Awards Ceremony.
  • 03-Jan-12 Translucent is referenced in an article in the current issue of Semiconductor Today Magazine.
  • 20-Dec-11 Translucent's Michael Lebby gave an invited talk at Honet 2011.
  • 30-Nov-11 Article about Translucent's technology is published in Oct/Nov issue of Semiconductor Today.
  • 12-Oct-11 Translucent visits PIDA in Taiwan.