ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THIN SILICON SOLAR CELLS FROM PILOT PRODUCTION
Abstract
Following the earlier demonstration of the performance capabilities of 4 mil silicon solar cells and the feasibility of using these cells on large flexible arrays of space vehicles, more than a thousand 4 mil cells have been fabricated in pilot production by four routes. The various types of cells which have been evaluated had solderless evaporated titanium-silver contacts in both a conventional and wrap-round configuration, solderless evaporated titanium-silver contacts 'over-plated' with a layer of copper-gold, and solderless plated nickel-copper-gold contacts in a conventional and wrap-round configuration. Both 1 x 2 and 2 x 2 cm, n on p cells have been manufactured from 1 and 10 ohm cm boron doped silicon. In every case, satisfactory production yields have been achieved. The above cells have been subjected to environmental conditions aimed at studying the effects of high ambient humidity on the cell contacts during 'shelf-life' prior to launch and the degradation in performance from electron and proton irradiation encountered during long term spiral transfer orbits to synchronous altitude. Specifically the problem of low energy 'synchronous altitude' proton irradiation of exposed bar and back contacts and the protection afforded by various forms of coatings has been investigated.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0691506
Entities
People
- R. L. Crabb
Organizations
- Royal Aircraft Establishment