December 30, 2005, Asslar, Germany--CGS GmbH and Photonic Sense GmbH (Eisenach, Germany) have grown a world-record-sized germanium crystal. Photonic Sense grew the crystal, while CGS GmbH provided the process-engineering know-how. The crystal had a diameter exceeding 360 mm. The ability to grow larger germanium crystals results in substantially improved efficiency in the production of the substance.

Germanium crystals are used in thermal-IR and monitor cameras, pyrometry, automotive sensors, high-performance solar cells, medicine, night-vision equipment, and for high-performance lasers.

CGS GmbH is a wholly owned subsidiary of PVA TePla AG (also in Asslar), and Photonic Sense GmbH, Eisenach is a subsidiary of Jenoptik AG (Jena, Germany).

PVA TePla AG supplies plant and systems for ecologically friendly production and processing of high-quality industrial materials. The company is a vacuum specialist for high-temperature and plasma treatment and is involved in hard-metal sintering, crystal growing, and plasma-assisted surface activation.

Fri Dec 30 09:36:00 CST 2005