S. Meckler, A. Genis
Single Crystal Diamond,
Keywords:
These three NASA missions investigate growing high-purity single crystal diamond films in microgravity using a compact, modified Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) system. The goal is to precisely control nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center formation, critical for quantum devices, by leveraging the ultra-clean vacuum and convection-free environment of space. Space-grown diamond is expected to exhibit lower nitrogen contamination and fewer defects than Earth-grown counterparts. These films can later be atomically separated and integrated with terrestrial substrates, enhancing the performance and scalability of quantum technologies. This approach could redefine how quantum materials are produced, enabling hybrid integration of space-grown diamond layers with Earth-based electronics. It represents a step toward a vertically integrated, dual-domain supply chain for quantum device manufacturing. The implications for quantum sensing, communication, and computing are profound, and the opportunity to lead this material frontier in orbit has never been more compelling.