Space vacuum processing

The unique ultra-vacuum environment of low-earth orbit space is to be utilized for vacuum processing of advanced semiconductor and superconductor materials through epitaxial thin-film growth. The quality of semiconductor single crystal (epitaxial) thin-films can be significantly enhanced in the space ultra-vacuum through the reduction of impurities. This will be accomplished by the development of the free-flying Wake Shield Facility presently being built by the Space Vacuum Epitaxy Center in conjunction with industry and NASA under a low-cost, short time commercial approach to space hardware development.