SUBSA-InSPA-SSCug

Larvae and Leeches: Optical Micrograph depicting the morphology of Semimetal-Semiconductor Composite (SSC) wafer with semimetal phases embedded in the semiconductor matrix. This wafer was extracted from a terrestrial grown crystal. The appearance of the semimetal phase resembles a collection of larvae and leeches with random distribution. The random morphology and non-homogeneous spatial distribution of semimetal phases embedded in semiconductor matrix in terrestrial crystals leads to low performance and poor yield of electromagnetic sensors. (Image courtesy of Tryphena Ho, United Semiconductors LLC)

jsc2025e067418 (8/5/2025) --- Microscopic image of a semimetal-semiconductor composite (SSC) wafer extracted from one of four crystals grown in the International Space Station’s SUBSA facility during the first SUBSA-InSPA-SSCug mission. Credit: United Semiconductors LLC

Album Northrop_Grumman_CRS-23_Science