Lightweight, light-trapped, thin GaAs solar cell for spacecraft applications: progress and results update
- 1 January 1996
- conference paper
- Published by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
- p. 191-194
- https://doi.org/10.1109/pvsc.1996.563979
Abstract
Progress is reported on the development of ultra-lightweight, high performance, thin, light trapped GaAs solar cells for advanced space power systems. Conversion efficiencies of 19.2% (AM0, 1X) have been demonstrated for an adhesive bonded, 3 /spl mu/m thick, 1 cm/sup 2/ area solar cell. This results in a specific power of over 1125 W/kg (with a 3-mil cover glass) and a power density of 260 W/m/sup 2/. All back contact, ultra-thin, electrostatically bonded GaAs solar cell prototypes have also been fabricated demonstrating an open circuit voltage of 1 volt for a cell base thickness of 1 /spl mu/m with a 0.5 /spl mu/m emitter. This technology will result in an improvement in survivability, performance, and manufacturability of lightweight GaAs solar cell products for future Earth-orbiting science and space exploration missions.Keywords
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