IMPROVED OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF CRYSTAL-GROWTH PHENOMENA ON SPACE STATION FREEDOM

Investigation of gravity as an experimental variable during crystal gr owth of electronic and photonic materials is expected to be significan tly enhanced by the extended availability of the microgravity environm ent aboard Space Station Freedom. Experiments studying liquid/solid an d vapor/solid phase transformations using the Crystal Growth Furnace w ere conducted during the first of the U.S. Microgravity Laboratory ser ies of Space Shuttle flights. The increased time available for experim ents on Space Station coupled with the quiescent environment expected during the ground-tended phase will permit scientists to conduct exper iments which are not possible at present. These include studies which are both comprehensive and require processing times which are in exces s of that available on today's carriers.