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Recent advancements in monolithic AlGaAs/GaAs solar cells for space applicationsHigh efficiency, two terminal, multijunction AlGaAs/GaAs solar cells were reproducibly made with areas of 0.5 sq cm. The multiple layers in the cells were grown by Organo Metallic Vapor Phase Epitaxy (OMVPE) on GaAs substrates in the n-p configuration. The upper AlGaAs cell has a bandgap of 1.93 eV and is connected in series to the lower GaAs cell (1.4 eV) via a metal interconnect deposited during post-growth processing. A prismatic coverglass is installed on top of the cell to reduce obscuration caused by the gridlines. The best 0.5 sq cm cell has a two terminal efficiency of 23.0 pct. at 1 sun, air mass zero (AM0) and 25 C. To date, over 300 of these cells were grown and processed for a manufacturing demonstration. Yield and efficiency data for this demonstration are presented. As a first step toward the goal of a 30 pct. efficient cell, a mechanical stack of the 0.5 sq cm cells described above, and InGaAsP (0.95 eV) solar cells was made. The best two terminal measurement to date yields an efficiency of 25.2 pct. AM0. This is the highest reported efficiency of any two terminal, 1 sun space solar cell.
Document ID
19910020906
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Wickham, K. R. (Varian Associates Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Chung, B.-C. (Varian Associates Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Klausmeier-Brown, M. (Varian Associates Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Kuryla, M. S. (Varian Associates Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Ristow, M. Ladle (Varian Associates Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Virshup, G. F. (Varian Associates Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Werthen, J. G. (Varian Associates Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Lewis Research Center, Space Photovoltaic Research and Technology Conference
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Accession Number
91N30220
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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