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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Method and apparatus for measuring areas of photoelectric cells and photoelectric cell performance parameters

Patent ·
OSTI ID:866443
A laser scanning system for scanning the surface of a photovoltaic cell in a precise, stepped raster pattern includes electric current detecting and measuring equipment for sensing the current response of the scanned cell to the laser beam at each stepped irradiated spot or pixel on the cell surface. A computer is used to control and monitor the raster position of the laser scan as well as monitoring the corresponding current responses, storing this data, operating on it, and for feeding the data to a graphic plotter for producing a visual, color-coded image of the current response of the cell to the laser scan. A translation platform driven by stepper motors in precise X and Y distances holds and rasters the cell being scanned under a stationary spot-focused laser beam.
Research Organization:
MIDWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-83CH10093
Assignee:
United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
Patent Number(s):
US 4712063
OSTI ID:
866443
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English