Oct 26 2010
SiOnyx, a spinoff company of Harvard photonics, announced that its $12.5 million funding round for its semiconductor process comprises its strategic partner Coherent and other new investors. Coherent is a Santa Clara, California-based company specialized in lasers.
The semiconductor process is based on a laser implant technique called black silicon, which was discovered at Harvard. The patented semiconductor process improves light-sensing systems’ performance in various applications in the defense, medical, industrial, and consumer industries. In addition, the process could result in the development of efficient, compact and cost-effective silicon photonic devices.
SiOnyx has collaborated with the Army Research Office and showed a record-breaking photosensitivity. The company is collaborating with numerous government and industry partners to expand the utilization of its semiconductor technology. The series B funding round included new investors, namely, Vulcan Capital, and Crosslink Capital, as well as current investors, Harris & Harris, and Polaris Venture Partners.
SiOnyx’ Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Saylor stated that the initial success of achieving the photosensitivity in applications, including thin-film photovoltaics and simple light detection, has accelerated the company’s momentum. Saylor added that the new investment would allow SiOnyx to unveil its first commercial solutions and expand the line of products offered to its partners.