High Resolution Diffraction Imaging of Crystals Grown in Microgravity and Closely Related Terrestrial Crystals

摘要

The paper reports on irregularities found in three crystals grown in space, in four crystals grown entirely on the ground, and compares the two sets. Irregularities have been observed in mercuric iodide, lead tin telluride, triglycine sulfate, and gallium arsenide by high resolution synchrotron x-radiation diffraction imaging. Radiation detectors made from mercuric iodide crystals grown in microgravity have been reported to perform far better than conventional detectors grown from the same material under full gravity. Effort is now underway to reproduce these 'space' crystals, optimize their properties, and extend comparable superiority to other types of material.