Qualitative experiment with arc discharges on negatively biased solar cells

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets; (USA)

OSTI ID:6015645

Kuninaka, Hitoshi ^[1]

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1. Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Sagamihara (Japan)

The present ground simulation of arc discharges using heat-sensitive materials in dense Ar plasma can preclude interactions with the vacuum chamber wall due to its plasma shielding. The results obtained suggest that arc discharges occurred only on the surface of the masked model, and on the model with a clean conductor. Discharge frequency depended on substrate temperature, and surface luminosity was observed on the insulator mask; this last feature suggests that electrons are incident from the conductor region onto the mask. It is necessary to construct a new theory for the arc discharge integrating the effects of the surface gas adsorption/desorption and the secondary electrons. 14 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6015645
• Journal Information: Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets; (USA), Vol. 27; ISSN 0022-4650
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR CELLS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ARGON
ELECTRON DENSITY
ELECTRON EMISSION
PLASMA
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
SUBSTRATES
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
VACUUM SYSTEMS
WALLS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELEMENTS
EMISSION
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
GASES
NONMETALS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
RARE GASES
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SURFACE PROPERTIES
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion