Radiometric Characterization of a New Photovoltaic Cell Unit for Powering Modulating Retroreflectors

Abstract

We describe the experimental procedures and results of a detailed radiometric characterization of a new photovoltaic (PV) wafer unit intended for powering the Multiple Quantum Well (MQW) Modulating Retroreflector (MRR) using natural sunlight and/or system laser light as energy input, to enable autonomous operation of free-space optical data link using the MQW-MRR. Our initial measurements show that the PV wafer unit has an average power conversion efficiency of 7% to 8% over the entire visible-to-IR wavelength range from 200 nm to 3500 nm, and a conversion efficiency around 40% at the 1550 nm laser frequency. Comparisons of the different methods for radiometric characterization of the PV wafer unit are also given.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 19, 2007
Accession Number
ADA469887

Entities

People

  • G. Charmaine Gilbreath
  • James Murphy
  • Xiaolei Zhang

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Calibration
  • Cells
  • Charge Coupled Devices
  • Detectors
  • Flux Density
  • Frequency
  • Infrared Detectors
  • Lasers
  • Light Sources
  • Measurement
  • Optical Detectors
  • Power Meters
  • Quantum Efficiency
  • Quantum Wells
  • Solar Cells
  • Solar Energy

Readers

  • Optical Fiber Sensing and Electromagnetic Propagation.
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Solar Photovoltaics and Thermoelectric Devices.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Quantum Computing
  • Space