Lithium Niobate Single-Crystal Wafer Fabrication via Edge-Defined Film-Fed Growth for In-Space Station Production Applications

This project introduces an innovative approach of fabricating thin-film and single-crystal lithium niobate (LiNbO3) samples using Liquid Phase Epitaxy (LPE) and Edge-Defined Film-Fed Growth (EFG) techniques. This project offers precise control over thickness, element composition, and crystallographic orientation, enabling high-quality and defect-free materials at a lower cost. Thanks to its exceptional optical, acoustic, and piezoelectric properties, LiNbO3 is critical for optics, telecommunications, quantum sensing, and space technologies. We expect to demonstrate our technology aboard the International Space Station, leveraging microgravity to minimize structural defects, enhance crystal purity, and enable scalable wafer production. This innovation directly addresses the increasing demand for high-performance LiNbO3 materials, ensuring a secure domestic supply chain.

The primary objective of this NASA SBIR project is to develop and validate a novel approach for fabricating thin film lithium niobate (TFLN) and single-crystal lithium niobate (LiNbO3) wafers using Liquid Phase Epitaxy (LPE) and Edge-Defined Film-Fed Growth (EFG) techniques. This effort will establish a scalable, low-cost process that ensures high-quality and defect-free LiNbO3 wafers for advanced terrestrial and in-space applications. We list the key technical objectives as follows: 1. Installing and optimizing a furnace equipped with LPE and EFG capabilities. 2. Synthesizing and characterizing high-purity TFLN on various substrates with different crystallographic orientations. 3. Fabricating LiNbO3 single crystals using the EFG process with TFLN seed samples. 4. Determining the optimal synthesis routes for large-scale wafer production with high reliability and reproducibility. At the end of this project, we will deliver high-quality LiNbO3 thin films and wafers with precise crystallographic orientation, uniform element composition, and superior optical properties. NASA will receive a comprehensive report on the fabrication process, synthesis parameters, and material characterization results, along with strategies for future space-based production on the International Space Station. The findings will support NASA’s goal of leveraging microgravity for next-generation materials development and provide a pathway for commercialization in photonics, telecommunications, and quantum technologies. Beyond NASA applications, the proposed thin-film and single-crystal lithium niobate (LiNbO3) fabrication technology has significant commercialization potential across multiple high-growth industries, including photonic integrated circuits, quantum technologies, defense, and biological imaging. The ability to manufacture high-purity and defect-free LiNbO3 wafers at scale will drive cost reduction and improve performance for commercial and industrial applications. In the defense sector, LiNbO3 is essential for radar, secure optical communication, and missile guidance systems, supporting United States national security and aerospace advancements. By establishing a domestic supply chain of LiNbO3, this innovative approach will reduce reliance on imports, secure critical supplies for industries, and position the United States as a leader in advanced optical and quantum technologies.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — 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.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.