Table of Contents

Sciences

Atlantic Canada Thin Organic Semiconductors project (ACTORS)

The ACTORS payload processed an important type of semiconductor organic material prepared by the Université de Moncton's research team, led by Dr. Truong Vo-Van. The ACTORS organic materials were processed in space, where gravitational forces are minimal. Under microgravity, more uniform thin films are formed; this improvement in uniformity is due to the absence of convection, a phenomenon which influences terrestrial processes. New film morphologies are also expected in such an environment, and scientists are able to compare the thin films produced in microgravity with those produced on earth.

A better understanding of the PVT (Physical Vapour Transport) process and the role gravity has in affecting the formation of thin films should lead to improved earth-based manufacturing. The semiconductor material studied has many industrial uses. In particular, this material can be used in high sensitivity particle beam detectors and electro-optic device applications.

ACTORS flew as a Get Away Special (GAS) onboard space shuttle Mission STS-91 along with other experiments from Canada and the United States. Located in the Cargo Bay, GAS experiments are self contained, fully automated and supply their own power source, data collection, and processing. The hardware was developed by COM DEV and prepared for this flight by Synodon Corporation.