Development of vertical multijunction solar cells for spacecraft primary power. Volume II. Final report, Jun 1974--Jun 1975

Technical Report · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1975

OSTI ID:7125651

Lloyd, W W; Yeakley, R; Fuller, C; Malone, F

Based on the types of vertical multijunction cells developed in the first half of this contract (Report No. AFAPL-TR-74-45), the open-groove type configuration was selected since early characterization results showed the predicted improvements in long-wave response and tolerance to electron bombardment. In addition, a process was developed that converts the surface of this cell into an effective black body, which also has the potential of reducing the area of the collecting junction. Cells made using the black-surface, open-groove structure have demonstrated that the short circuit current has dropped only 13% after exposure to 10 to the 16th power, MeV electrons; the blue response is not limited by the deep grooves; the long-wave response can be 30% higher than for a conventional cell; actual efficiencies of 9% have been obtained, with a clear potential of reaching 14%. Together with the significantly simplified processes developed for the fabrication of the cells, these results show that the Vertical Multijunction cell is a viable device for spacecraft power.

• Research Organization: Texas Instruments, Inc., Dallas (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7125651
• Report Number(s): AD-A-025719; TI-03-75-41
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC CONTACTS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR CELLS