High-efficiency GaAs solar cells

Journal Article · Tue May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1984 · IEEE Trans. Electron Devices; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/T-ED.1984.21572· OSTI ID:6415411

Knechtli, R C; Loo, R Y

An updated review of the state of the art in the development of GaAs solar cells is provided, with emphasis on AlGaAs-GaAs cells suitable for space applications. A set of theoretically derived characteristics is given for this type of solar cell. Comparison of measured performance with theory shows excellent agreement. Data on the effects of radiation damage (high-energy electrons, protons, and neutrons) is also integrated into a form useful for evaluation purposes. Techniques for fabricating (AlGa)As-GaAs solar cells in quantities large enough for practical applications are discussed and are shown to have been demonstrated. The possibility of extending these techniques to the fabrication of very thin low-weight cells for space applications is also considered. Finally, the results obtained to date in the development of GaAs solar cells for applications requiring concentrated sunlight are reviewed, for terrestrial as well as for space applications. As a milestone toward the practical application of AlGaAs-GaAs solar cells in space systems, a brief account is provided on the development status of small experimental AlGaAs-GaAs solar-cell panels for specific space flights.

• Research Organization: Hughes Research Laboratories, Malibu, CA
• OSTI ID: 6415411
• Journal Information: IEEE Trans. Electron Devices; (United States), Vol. ED-31:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
GALLIUM ARSENIDE SOLAR CELLS
EFFICIENCY
FABRICATION
USES
ALUMINIUM ARSENIDES
CHEMICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
PERFORMANCE
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
REVIEWS
SPACE FLIGHT
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ARSENIC COMPOUNDS
ARSENIDES
CHEMISTRY
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DOCUMENT TYPES
EQUIPMENT
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PNICTIDES
RADIATION CHEMISTRY
RADIATION EFFECTS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion