Advanced thin-film materials processing in the ultra-vacuum of space
2001; Elsevier BV; Volume: 48; Issue: 2-3 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/s0094-5765(00)00148-x
ISSN1879-2030
Autores Tópico(s)Advanced Semiconductor Detectors and Materials
ResumoAbstract The utilization of the vacuum of space for thin-film materials development has been pioneered by the Wake Shield Facility (WSF) program. The WSF is a 4 m diameter disc-shaped free-flying platform designed to generate an ultra-vacuum in low earth orbit (LEO) space, and to utilize that ultra-vacuum for the fabrication of thin-film materials by epitaxial growth. In the three flights of WSF, high-quality GaAs-based epitaxial thin films were grown, vacuum quality was assessed, and cooperative experiments were activated. The promising results on high-purity film growth indicate future benefits of thin-film materials fabrication in LEO for terrestrial applications in high-performance electronic devices.
Referência(s)