J. Schmitt, B. Soller, C. Whiteley, T. McCullah, M. Khosravi, A. Genis
Nitride Global / Single Crystal Diamond Inc. / Ubtainium LLC,
Keywords:
This poster outlines a compelling case for leveraging space to produce cutting-edge materials, fostering innovation in commercial and defense quantum technologies. The microgravity environment of space presents a transformative opportunity for the growth and processing of wide bandgap semiconductors primarily aluminum nitride (AlN) and CVD Diamond. These materials, essential for next-generation power electronics and quantum devices, demand precise control over crystal defects and minimal impurities—conditions uniquely achievable in microgravity. These conditions can be more consistently achieved in the microgravity of space than on Earth. Preliminary analyses indicate that space-based crystal growth is economically viable for high-performance applications, given the premium market value of these materials. In addition to primary crystal production, post-growth processes such as thermal annealing can also benefit from the unique benefits offered by microgravity, enabling “microgravity-enhanced annealing” to improve terrestrially grown crystals. Furthermore, the precision bonding of complex heterostructures—such as AlN-on-diamond—can be more finely tuned in space, enabling a new class of precision controlled quantum devices, including acoustic-controlled quantum devices (ACQDs).