Vertical Multijunction Solar Cells.

Abstract

A theoretical analysis of the vertical multijunction (VMJ) solar cell was performed which indicated that using silicon certain configurations could be fabricated to satisfy the program objectives. Results indicate that initial AMO efficiencies of 15% can be achieved, and that at least 12% efficiency can be expected after seven years operation at synchronous orbit in a nuclear weapons environment. Experimental devices fabricated during the program exhibited relatively high long wavelength response as predicted by theory. These oversize devices (widths approximately 100 micrometers) exhibited low efficiencies (6-8%) and poor short wavelength response due to slow surface states which drastically reduced short wavelength collection efficiency and device voltage as well as causing instability in the device I-V characteristic. These surface states must be eliminated if high efficiency VMJ devices are to become a reality. (Modified author abstract)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1973
Accession Number
AD0760172

Entities

People

  • Paul M. Stella

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Cells
  • Efficiency
  • Environment
  • Instability
  • Long Wavelengths
  • Micrometers
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Short Wavelengths
  • Solar Cells
  • Weapons

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Control Systems Engineering.
  • Semiconductor Device Technology
  • Solar Photovoltaics and Thermoelectric Devices.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster