Industrial Crystallization Facility for Nonlinear Optical Materials

In the proposed Phase II-E effort, the Made In Space (MIS) team partners with the ISS National Laboratory (ISSNL) to create a crystal growth module for the Industrial Crystallization Facility (ICF) that is dedicated to precision crystal growth monitoring for industrial science in microgravity. This new Automated Single Crystal Growth Chamber (SCGC) module is designed to support applied materials research selected by the ISSNL via a photogrammetry system integrated into the SCGC. This active monitoring system enables the near-real time observation of crystal growth patterns and rates during flight experiments. This proposed effort also includes the development of a ground test system for evaluating candidate materials for microgravity operations and preparing samples for flight. These adaptations to facilitate ICF operations for the ISSNL enable MIS to conduct early-stage phenomenological studies of high-value single crystal production in microgravity, especially for ISSNL partners like the National Science Foundation (NSF), and establishes a repeatable, low-incremental-cost system for repeated experiments over sustained science campaigns. Once a clear benefit from microgravity production is demonstrated, MIS can then help those non-traditional users develop transition plans from proof-of-concept to early production. This directly supports the ISS National Laboratory’s strategic initiatives in space industrialization by creating a pipeline for applied industrial materials research in microgravity.

Photonic device applications include laser range finding, photonic gyroscopes, spectroscopy, and optical communications. For example, integrated photonics circuits can transmit and encode data at orders of magnitude higher rates than traditional digital systems. High-energy research also relies on large single crystal materials for switches and frequency converters in laser arrays, such as those at the National Ignition Facility. Other potential applications are materials for sub-Kelvin cryocoolers and gamma ray detectors.

Nonlinear optical materials are used in CMOS image sensors and fiber optic laser transmitters, each of which represents $8.8 billion and $1.2 billion in projected business through 2019 and a combined third of the total optoelectronics market. NLO materials are also used in smaller market segments, such as infrared devices ($911 million), couplers ($1.6 billion), and laser pickups ($689 million).

This is a mature technology (TRL 8) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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