RTU MIREA has found a way to turn diamond crystals into electronic devices

Specialists from the Diamond Microwave Electronics Laboratory of RTU MIREA have created a number of new technologies that make it possible to turn diamond crystals into electronic devices – from optoelectronic ultraviolet detectors to high-speed cosmic radiation detectors. Such devices are not afraid of exposure to radiation, high temperatures and mechanical overloads. They are already used in medical and space technology. Diamond materials and devices based on them are used in nuclear physics, medical and space equipment, and in the near future they will form the basis of quantum computers and microwave devices for radar and space communications. The work is being carried out within the framework of the Priority 2030 development program of RTU MIREA for 2021-2030.

The development of the domestic electronics industry is one of the key tasks set by the country’s leadership to achieve technological sovereignty and implement the import substitution policy. Hundreds of the best scientists, including specialists from RTU MIREA, are working on developments that will take this industry to a qualitatively new level. In particular, the University carries out comprehensive research in the Diamond Microwave Electronics laboratory (headed by Andrey Altukhov) to create new technologies and equipment for particularly precise surface treatment of electronic-quality diamond substrates. They are a basic component of advanced electronics and instrumentation based on diamond materials: from diamond eye lenses and ophthalmic scalpels to equipment for diagnosing nuclear particles and cosmic rays in the rocket-space and military industries.

As explained at RTU MIREA, in creating electronic components based on diamond materials, including radiation and cosmic ray sensors, high-speed and powerful transistors and diodes, diamond materials have significant advantages over traditional semiconductor materials, despite the fact that diamonds came into use in electronics and instrument making relatively recently.

“The University has already developed an experimental model of a control unit for cosmic and ionizing radiation for promising types of Russian spacecraft, including the promising manned transport ship Orel, the Russian orbital station ROSS, satellites of the Glonass series, and even for equipping a promising spacecraft with a nuclear power plant. The Diamond Microwave Electronics Laboratory obtained patents and submitted applications for inventions and utility models for diamond transistors, optoelectronic devices using diamond sensors, diamond cosmic radiation detectors,” said Stanislav Kudzh, rector of RTU MIREA.

Research is being conducted as part of the implementation of the research and technical program of the Union State “Development of promising basic technological processes for obtaining functional materials, structures, components and modules for high-performance photonics products in the Union State” (“Component-F”), as well as under agreements with Russian radio-electronic enterprises.

Customers and consumers of the results of the work carried out by the RTU MIREA laboratory jointly with its partners, are the flagship of the Russian microwave industry: Istok State Scientific Production JSC, enterprises of the Scientific and Production Complex “Diamond Valley” Group, enterprises of the rocket and space industry, including the S. P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation “Energia”, JSC “Information Satellite Systems Reshetnev”, enterprises of the Rosatom State Corporation and other market leaders.