IMPROVEMENTS IN CdS THIN FILM SOLAR CELLS.

Abstract

The performance of two CdS thin film solar cell flight panels, which were included in a satellite experiment in a high radiation orbit, showed no serious degradation after a period of 130 days. The results of balloon flight calibration tests indicate that AM0 performance of CdS thin film solar cells at 80,000 feet very closely parallels simulated AM0 measurements. The evaluation of a number of materials as contacts to the barrier layer of the CdS cell indicates that gold, either evaporated or as the filler in a conductive epoxy such as is presently used in the fabrication process of CdS cells, provides the lowest resistant ohmic contact. A study in the optimization of the barrier formation process shows that a fairly wide latitude exists in the various process parameters, especially as regards low light level performance. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1968
Accession Number
AD0684560

Entities

People

  • H. E. Nastelin

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Calibration
  • Cells
  • Films
  • Low Light Levels
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Metal-Semiconductor Junctions
  • Radiation
  • Solar Cells
  • Solar Radiation
  • Thin Films

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Semiconductor Device Technology
  • Solar Photovoltaics and Thermoelectric Devices.
  • Surface Coatings Technology.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites