Radioisotope thermophotovoltaic generator for space power applications
- Lockheed Martin Astro Space, Philadelphia, PA (United States)
- Lockheed Martin Labs., Baltimore, MD (United States)
This paper presents a conceptual approach for a radioisotope thermophotovoltaic (RTPV) generator based on a photovoltaic converter tuned to the General Purpose Heat Source -- the standard thermal source for space power applications such as Voyager, Galileo, Ulysses, and Cassini. Recent work suggests that the RTPV approach offers greater efficiency than the present thermoelectric technology. In this paper the authors discuss an approach based on photovoltaic devices made from a quaternary III-IV alloy, Ga{sub x}In{sub 1{minus}x}As{sub y}Sb{sub 1{minus}y}, with a tandem dielectric/plasma filter. The Ga{sub x}In{sub 1{minus}x}As{sub y}Sb{sub 1{minus}y} devices have been fabricated by molecular beam epitaxy, and are lattice-matched to GaSb substrates. The quality of the quaternary alloys, evaluated by x-ray diffraction and photoluminescence, is quite good. The authors obtain quantum efficiencies up to 78% with these quaternary alloys, indicative of excellent minority carrier device potential of these layers. For plasma filters the authors have used heavily-doped, thin layers of Si and obtain a sharp plasma resonance. Device performance data for these quaternary photovoltaic cells, including current, voltage, fill-factor; as well as filter performance data, including transmission, reflection and absorption are presented. The impact of these factors on system performance for a small radioisotope generator system is also discussed.
- OSTI ID:
- 187027
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950729-; TRN: 96:007222
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 30. intersociety energy conversion engineering conference, Orlando, FL (United States), 30 Jul - 5 Aug 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the 30. intersociety energy conversion engineering conference. Volume 1: Aerospace power; Goswami, D.Y. [ed.] [Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (United States)]; Kannberg, L.D.; Somasundaram, S. [eds.] [Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)]; Mancini, T.R. [ed.] [Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)]; PB: 798 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
InGaAsSb/GaSb thermophotovoltaic cells
Development of high efficiency thermophotovoltaics for space power applications
Related Subjects
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
SPACECRAFT POWER SUPPLIES
RADIOISOTOPE BATTERIES
THERMOPHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERTERS
DESIGN
PERFORMANCE
RADIOISOTOPE HEAT SOURCES
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
GALLIUM ARSENIDES
GALLIUM ANTIMONIDES
INDIUM ARSENIDES
INDIUM ANTIMONIDES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems