OSD233-003 Specialized Crystal Growth and Material Characterization

Our Phase II project seeks to advance the commercialization of specialized crystals with enhanced properties for high value applications such as nuclear clocks which can significantly improve navigation networks. The development of advanced terrestrial and space clocks ensures global satellite navigation networks like GPS remain secure from jamming or spoofing risks. The proposed Phase II effort aims to address the need for high-purity crystals doped with heavy metals and evaluate Earth and Space based commercialization pathways. Key objectives of the Phase II effort include: Developing crystal growth processes adaptable to Earth and Space based processing and an annealing framework for crystal growth. Characterizing the electronic and structural properties of the crystals using advanced test facilities. Validating performance improvements through experimental testing. Establishing scalable protocols for future crystal development. We will evaluate annealing parameters to optimize the crystal growth process, and testing of high-purity crystals. Advanced characterization techniques will be employed to analyze the crystals' properties. The proposed effort addresses critical gaps in current materials used for Vacuum-Ultra-Violet VUV applications, offering significant improvements in purity, transparency, and reliability. Our adaptable commercialization strategy focuses on targeting key applications in the optical components market, with the potential to expand into broader applications within the aerospace, defense, medical and semiconductor industries. By integrating advanced computational techniques with experimental validation, this project aims to develop the design, materials, processes and characterization of specialized crystals, paving the way for future advancements in crystal development and nuclear clocks. By advancing nuclear clock technology we are not only enhancing navigation capabilities but also ensuring that our defense systems remain robust in the face of emerging challenges.