The growth of large semi-insulating single crystals of aluminum antimonide (AlSb) for the potential application of room temperature, high-energy, gamma-ray radiation detection, needed for radiation detection, is hindered by the presence of melt slag during Czochralski crystal growth. This project will design a production crystal grower for the Al Sb system that allows growth of an semi-insulating AlSb crystal ingot without the presence of melt slag. In Phase I, a set of engineering drawings will be developed and produced for the aluminum antimonide production crystal growth system. Phase II will construct and operate a crystal growth system for the production of large (three-inch diameter) semi-insulating crystals of AlSb.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: In addition to the application for radiation detection, a crystal growth system for the manufacture of large semi-insulating aluminum antimonide single crystals should have application to low-noise, low-power, high-speed electronic antimonide/arsenide heterostructure devices
