NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Status of Diffused Junction p(+)n InP Solar Cells for Space ApplicationsRecently, we have succeeded in fabricating diffused junction p(+)n(Cd,S) InP solar cells with measured AMO, 25 C open circuit voltage (V(sub OC)) of 887.6 mV, which, to the best of our knowledge, is higher than previously reported V(sub OC) values for any InP homojunction solar cells. The experiment-based projected achievable efficiency of these cells using LEC grown substrates is 21.3%. The maximum AMO, 25 C efficiency recorded to date on bare cells is, however, only 13.2%. This is because of large external and internal losses due to non-optimized front grid design, antireflection (AR) coating and emitter thickness. This paper summarizes recent advances in the technology of fabrication of p(+)n InP diffused structures and solar cells, resulted from a study undertaken in an effort to increase the cell efficiency. The topics discussed in this paper include advances in: 1) the formation of thin p(+) InP:Cd emitter layers, 2) electroplated front contacts, 3) surface passivation and 4) the design of a new native oxide/AI203/MgF2 three layer AR coating using a chemically-grown P-rich passivating oxide as a first layer. Based on the high radiation resistance and the excellent post-irradiation annealing and recovery demonstrated in the early tests done to date, as well as the projected high efficiency and low-cost high-volume fabricability, these cells show a very good potential for space photovoltaic applications.
Document ID
20000032819
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Faur, Mircea
(Cleveland State Univ. Cleveland, OH United States)
Faur, Maria
(NYMA, Inc. Brook Park, OH United States)
Flood, D. J.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Brinker, D. J.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Goradia, C.
(Cleveland State Univ. Cleveland, OH United States)
Fatemi, N. S.
(NYMA, Inc. Brook Park, OH United States)
Jenkins, P. P.
(NYMA, Inc. Brook Park, OH United States)
Wilt, D. M.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Bailey, S.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
September 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Proceedings of the 13th Space Photovoltaic Research and Technology Conference (SPRAT 13)
Subject Category
Energy Production And Conversion
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
Document Inquiry

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available