High-efficiency heteroepitaxial solar cells for space power applicationsThe experimental results for several technical approaches aimed at achieving highly efficient solar cells for space-power applications are reported. Efficiencies of up to 24.5 percent (170X, AM0) and 21.7 percent (1X, AM0) have been achieved with homoepitaxial GaAs p/n cells. This one-sun AM0 efficiency value is believed to be the highest reported to date. Tandem solar cells utilizing GaAs-on-Ge structures have been fabricated and shown to have efficiencies up to 21.3 percent (1X, AM0), and a GaAs-on-Si cell at 15.2 percent (1X, AM0) is reported. Homoepitaxial n/p InP cells with an efficiency of 18.8 percent (1X, AM0) are also reported. The fabrication of heteroepitaxial InP solar cells with one-sun AM0 efficiency values of 9.4 percent (on GaAs) and 7.2 percent (on Si) is described.
Document ID
19900051094
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Vernon, S. M. (Spire Corp. Bedford, MA, United States)
Tobin, S. P. (Spire Corp. Bedford, MA, United States)
Keavney, C. J. (Spire Corp. Bedford, MA, United States)
Wojtczuk, S. J. (Spire Corp. Bedford, MA, United States)