Development of Diamond Vacuum Differential Amplifier for Harsh Environment Power Electronics

Scientic, Inc., in collaboration with Vanderbilt University, proposes to develop a novel vacuum field emission differential amplifier (VFEDA) using low electron affinity nanodiamond (ND) material as electron emitters for high-power electronic application in harsh environments. The ND VFEDA is a fundamental circuit building block for vacuum integrated circuits (VICs) ideally suited for space applications. The proposed high-power nanodiamond-based VFEDA will be capable of operating over a wide-temperature range (-125 C to 450 C), possess tolerance to extreme doses of ionizing radiation and deliver the long-term reliability and stability needed to successfully execute environmentally stressful space science missions. Successfully developed, the proposed innovation will enhance NASA?s ability to reliably power spacecraft subjected to the harsh rigors of space, as-well-as autonomous systems engaged in the surface exploration of icy moons or operating in the high-temperature/high radiation environments of other solar bodies. It also has the potential to provide power components for nanosats and cubesats, thus improving the performance of systems engaged in near-Earth space science missions.