High voltage photovoltaic power converter

Patent · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2001

OSTI ID:873885

Haigh, Ronald E ^[1]; Wojtczuk, Steve ^[2]; Jacobson, Gerard F ^[3]; Hagans, Karla G ^[3]

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1. Arvada, CO
2. Cambridge, MA
3. Livermore, CA

An array of independently connected photovoltaic cells on a semi-insulating substrate contains reflective coatings between the cells to enhance efficiency. A uniform, flat top laser beam profile is illuminated upon the array to produce electrical current having high voltage. An essentially wireless system includes a laser energy source being fed through optic fiber and cast upon the photovoltaic cell array to prevent stray electrical signals prior to use of the current from the array. Direct bandgap, single crystal semiconductor materials, such as GaAs, are commonly used in the array. Useful applications of the system include locations where high voltages are provided to confined spaces such as in explosive detonation, accelerators, photo cathodes and medical appliances.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: Regents of University of California (Oakland, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 6265653
• OSTI ID: 873885
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

voltage
photovoltaic
power
converter
array
independently
connected
cells
semi-insulating
substrate
contains
reflective
coatings
enhance
efficiency
uniform
flat
top
laser
beam
profile
illuminated
produce
electrical
current
essentially
wireless
energy
source
fed
optic
fiber
cast
cell
prevent
stray
signals
prior
direct
bandgap
single
crystal
semiconductor
materials
gaas
commonly
useful
applications
locations
voltages
provided
confined
spaces
explosive
detonation
accelerators
photo
cathodes
medical
appliances
reflective coating
photovoltaic power
confined space
reflective coatings
optic fiber
photovoltaic cells
electrical signals
semiconductor materials
electrical signal
laser beam
semiconductor material
energy source
single crystal
electrical current
laser energy
photovoltaic cell
produce electrical
cell array
beam profile
useful application
insulating substrate
power converter
semi-insulating substrate
direct bandgap
enhance efficiency
independently connected
substrate contain
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