STUDY OF GERMANIUM DEVICES FOR USE IN A THERMOPHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERTER.
Abstract
Studies were made of the effects of surface adsorbed moisture on the performance of uncoated N on P+ and P on N+ devices. A preliminary evaluation of the effect of donor concentration variations in the N+ layer of the P on N+ device was made. The evaluation of the optical and electrical properties of anti-reflection coated devices supplied by four firms was completed. A study of the effects of moisture on the performance of antireflection coated devices was initiated. The influence of a vacuum environment on device performance was determined in the case of both uncoated and anti-reflection coated devices. A model which explains the performance behavior of devices under the influence of various ambient environments was presented and verified experimentally. P+ on N non-absorptive devices were fabricated by epitaxial deposition in the close-spaced transport system. The highest power output observed was 250 milliwatts-device. The presence of very high reverse saturation current limits the open circuit voltage but the short circuit currents are comparable tho those obtained with absorptive devices. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0630394
Entities
People
- D. P. Crouch
- R. W. Beck