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At least 289 records · Page 16
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1973

The drift field model applied to the lithium-containing silicon solar cell

The drift field model used by Wolf to calculate the short-circuit current was extended to permit calculations of the open-circuit voltage and the maximum power under conditions of illumination of either tungsten (2800 C) source or AMO sunlight. Voltages were calculated using an expression for the drift field diode saturation current derived here. The model, applied to the oxygen rich (C-13 group) lithium solar cells, was used to calculate the pre-and post-electron bombardment trends for lithium gradients in the range of 10 to the 18th power to 10 to the 19th power Li/cm to the 4th power. Published experimental data characterizing these cells were used to tailor the model. The calculated trends are in reasonable agreement with the empirical data of Faith. Diffusion length degradation and carrier removal effects were sufficient to predict the cell performance up to 3 x 10 to the 14th power e/sq cm. Beyond this fluence it was necessary to include drift field removal effects.

Godlewski, M. P.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The effect of yttrium and thorium on the oxidation behavior of Ni-Cr-Al alloys

The effect of quaternary additions of 0.5% Y, 0.5 and 1.0% Th to a base alloy of Ni-10CR-5Al on the oxidation behavior and mechanism was studied during oxidation in air over the range of 1000 to 1200 C. The presence of yttrium decreased the oxidation kinetics slightly, whereas, the addition of thorium caused a slight increase. Oxide scale adherence was markedly improved by the addition of the quaternary elements. Although a number of oxides formed on yttrium containing alloys, quantitative X-ray diffraction clearly showed that the rate-controlling step was the diffusion of aluminum through short circuit paths in a thin layer of alumina that formed parabolically with time. Although the scale adherence of the yttrium containing alloy was considerably better than the base alloys, spalling did occur that was attributed to the formation of the voluminous YAG particles which grew in a mushroom-like manner, lifting the protective scale off the subrate locally. The YAG particles formed primarily at grain boundaries in the substrate in which the yttrium originally existed as YNi9.

Kumar, A.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Development of a uninterrupted power system: ac and dc to dc converter

This program covered the design, fabrication and testing of an advanced development model uninterrupted power system. The input and output requirements imposed on the power processor were specified such that the unit is electrically interchangeable with existing power systems used by the Federal Aviation Administration in installations which have a history of failure due to electrical transient conditions. Input power is from either of two single-phase ac power sources or batteries with electronic selection and transfer between power sources. Battery reconditioning is automatic when either ac source is present. The output power is rated at 84OW; the nominal output is 24V at 35A. Within the 84OW limit, the regulated output voltage is adjustable from 22V to 30Vdc. Protection against continuous overloading or short circuit is provided. The unit is packaged in a standard 19-inch rack mount configuration with 7-inch panel height. Controls are on the front panel with power input and output through connectors on the rear surface. Cooling is by free convection from fin areas located on the side and rear panels. The packaged unit weighs 52.8 lbs., which can be reduced significantly if a three-phase ac power source is used.

Cronin, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Theoretical and experimental investigation of 'grating' type photovoltaic cells

The fabrication procedure and properties of 'grating' cells made by forming a fine grating pattern of aluminum alloyed into n-silicon wafers are described. The finest grating lines achieved in the cells described were 5 microns; the smallest spacing was about 15 microns. The best temperature for alloying was found to be about 600 C, a bit above the Si-Al eutectic temperature (576 C). The short-circuit current obtained from the best of these cells exposed to 100 mW/sq cm of (simulated air mass zero) illumination was at least equal to that obtained from conventional diffused cells, but their open-circuit voltage was lower. Their quantum yield was strongly blue-shifted; it was flat from 4000 to 8500 A.

Loferski, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The aurora and the magnetosphere - The Chapman Memorial Lecture

Review of recent progress in magnetospheric physics, in particular, in understanding the magnetospheric substorm. It is shown that a number of magnetospheric phenomena can now be understood by viewing the solar wind-magnetosphere interaction as an MHD dynamo; auroral phenomena are powered by the dynamo. Also, magnetospheric responses to variations of the north-south and east-west components of the interplanetary magnetic field have been identified. The magnetospheric substorm is entirely different from the responses of the magnetosphere to the southward component of the interplanetary magnetic field. It may be associated with the formation of a neutral line within the plasma sheet and with an enhanced reconnection along the line. A number of substorm-associated phenomena can be understood by noting that the new neutral line formation is caused by a short-circuiting of a part of the magnetotail current.

Akasofu, S.-I.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Interdiffusion in the Ni/TD-NiCr and Cr/TD-NiCr systems

The diffusion of Ni and Cr into TD-NiCr has been studied over the 900 to 1100 C temperature range. The diffusion couples were prepared by electroplating Cr and Ni on polished TD-NiCr wafers. Concentration profiles produced as a result of isothermal diffusion at 905, 1000, and 1100 C were determined by electron microprobe analysis. The Boltzmann-Matano analysis was used to determine concentration-dependent diffusion coefficients which were found to compare favorably with previously reported values. These data suggest that 2 vol % ThO2 distribution has no appreciable effect on the rates of diffusion in TD-NiCr with a large grain size. This supports the view that an inert dispersoid in an alloy matrix will not in itself lead to enhanced diffusion unless a short-circuit diffusion structure is stabilized.

Pawar, A. V.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Irradiation and measurements of fluorinated ethylene-propylene-A on silicon solar cells in vacuum

Silicon monoxide (SiO) coated silicon solar cells covered with fluorinated ethylene-propylene-A (FEP-A) were irradiated by 1-MeV electrons in vacuum. The effect of irradiation on the light transmittance of FEP-A was checked by measuring the short-circuit current of the cells while in vacuum after each dose increment, immediately after the irradiation, and again after a minimum elapsed time of 16 hr. The results indicated no apparent loss in transmission due to irradiation of FEP-A and no delamination from the SiO surface while the cells were in vacuum, but embrittlement of FEP-A occurred at the accumulated dose.

Marsik, S. J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Inversion layer solar cell fabrication and evaluation

Inversion layer solar cells were fabricated by etching through the diffused layer on p-type silicon wafers in a comb-like contact pattern. The charge separation comes from an induced p-n junction at the surface. The inverted surface is caused by a layer of transparent material applied to the surface that either contains free positive ions or that creates donor states at the interface. Cells are increased from 3 ma I sub sc to 100 ma by application of sodium silicate. The action is unstable, however, and decays. Non-mesa contaminated oxide cells were fabricated with short circuit currents of over 100 ma measured in the sun. Cells of this type have demonstrated stability.

Call, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Effect of electron irradiation in vacuum on FEP-A silicon solar cell covers

Fluorinated ethylene-propylene-A (FEP-A) covers on silicon solar cells were irradiated with 1-MeV electrons, in vacuum, to an accumulated fluence equivalent to approximately 28 years in synchronous orbit. The effect of irradiation on the light transmittance of FEP-A was checked by measuring the short-circuit current of the cells after each dose increment. The results indicate no apparent overall loss in transmission due to irradiation of FEP-A. Filter wheel measurements revealed some darkening of the FEP-A at the blue end of the spectrum. Although no delamination from the cell surface was observed while in vacuum, embrittlement of FEP-A occurred at the accumulated dose.

Marsik, S. J.↗
NASA NTRS1975

V-grooved silicon solar cells

Silicon solar cells with macroscopic V-shaped grooves and microscopically texturized surfaces were made by preferential etching techniques. Various conditions for potassium hydroxide and hydrazine hydrate etching were investigated. Optical reflection losses from these surface were reduced. The reduced reflection occurred at all wavelengths and resulted in improved short circuit current and spectral response. Improved collection efficiency is also expected from this structure due to generation of carriers closer to the cell junction. Microscopic point measurements of collected current using a scanning electron microscope showed that current collected at the peaks of the texturized surface were only 80 percent of those collected in the valleys.

Baraona, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Results of the first 150 days of the NTS-1 solar cell experiments

Twelve solar cell experiments were on the Naval Research Laboratory NTS-1 satellite launched on 14 July 1974, into a 13,260 km circular orbit at an inclination of 125 deg. The experiment comprises: 2 ohm-cm n/p, lithium-diffused p/n, violet n/p, p(+) back surface field, and ultra-thin wrap around contact cells. The short-circuit current of the experiments ranged from 2 to 12 percent higher in space than under solar simulators. During the 5 year life of the satellite, the experiments will be exposed to radiation equivalent to 2 x 10 to the 15th power 1-MeV electron cm/2 and to nearly 5500 thermal cycles.

Statler, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Hydrogen diffusion and trapping in nickel

An analysis of hydrogen transport in pure polycrystalline nickel foils and rods at 300-550 K shows that both trapping and short-circuit diffusion are present and have small yet significant effects on permeation, evolution, and absorption. Both effects appear to be associated primarily with the dislocation substructure of nickel. Relations describing hydrogen transport in nickel are obtained using the data on deuterium permeation, tritium absorption, and outgassing in pure polycrystalline nickel together with earlier measurements of diffusivity and solubility of hydrogen isotopes.

Louthan, M. R., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1975

V-grooved silicon solar cells

Silicon solar cells with macroscopic V-shaped grooves and microscopically texturized surfaces have been made by preferential etching techniques. Various conditions for potassium hydroxide and hydrazine hydrate etching were investigated. Optical reflection losses from these surface were reduced. The reduced reflection occurred at all wavelengths and resulted in improved short circuit current and spectral response. Improved collection efficiency is also expected from this structure due to generation of carriers closer to the cell junction. Microscopic point measurements of collected current using a scanning electron microscope showed that current collected at the peaks of the texturized surface were only 80% of those collected in the valleys.

Baraona, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Effect of electron irradiation in vacuum on FEP-A silicon solar cell covers

The effect of irradiation on the light transmittance of ethylene-propylene-A (FEP-A) was investigated by measuring the short-circuit current of the cells after each of several electron dose increments, immediately after total irradiation, and 16 hours after total irradiation. Results indicated no apparent overall loss in transmission due to irradiation of FEP-A. However, filter wheel measurements revealed a 'darkening' of the FEP-A at the blue end of the spectrum. Some embrittlement of the FEP-A occurred at an accumulated dose of 67,500,000 rads.

Marsik, S. J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Foldback current-limiting for hybrid regulator

Technique utilizes operational high gain amplifier, which greatly reduces temperature sensitivity of short circuit current, to amplify and subtract voltage across current sensing resistor from regulated output voltage. Small current sensing resistor may be used to eliminate power loss problem found in conventional circuits.

Crider, C. H.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Results of the 1973 NASA/JPL balloon flight solar cell calibration program

High altitude balloon flights carried 37 standard solar cells for calibration above 99.5 percent of the earth's atmosphere. The cells were assembled into standard modules with appropriate resistors to load each cell at short circuit current. Each standardized module was mounted at the apex of the balloon on a sun tracker which automatically maintained normal incidence to the sun within 1.0 deg. The balloons were launched to reach a float altitude of approximately 36.6 km two hours before solar noon and remain at float altitude for two hours beyond solar noon. Telemetered calibration data on each standard solar cell was collected and recorded on magnetic tape. At the end of each float period the solar cell payload was separated from the balloon by radio command and descended via parachute to a ground recovery crew. Standard solar cells calibrated and recovered in this manner are used as primary intensity reference standards in solar simulators and in terrestrial sunlight for evaluating the performance of other solar cells and solar arrays with similar spectral response characteristics.

Yasui, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Development of a high efficiency thin silicon solar cell

One hundred thin (120 microns to 260 microns) silicon-aluminum solar cells were fabricated and tested. Silicon slices were prepared, into which an aluminum alloy was evaporated over a range of temperatures and times. Antireflection coatings of tantalum oxide were applied to the cells. Reflectance of the silicon-aluminum interfaces was correlated to alloy temperature (graphs are shown). Optical measurements of the rear surface-internal reflectance of the cells were performed using a Beckman spectrophotometer. An improved gridline pattern was evaluated and stability tests (thermal cycling tests) were performed. Results show that: (1) a high-index, high-transmittance antireflection coating was obtained; (2) the improved metallization of the cells gave a 60 percent rear surface-internal reflectance, and the cells displayed excellent fill factors and blue response of the spectrum; (3) an improved gridline pattern (5 micron linewidths compared to 13 micron linewidths) resulted in a 1.3 percent improvement in short circuit currents; and (4) the stability tests showed no change in cell properties.

Lindmayer, J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

High photovoltages in ferroelectric ceramics

The short-circuit currents and photo-emfs were measured for various ceramics including barium titanate, lead metaniobate, and lead titanate. It is suggested that the emfs and currents arise from the presence of photoconductor-insulator sandwiches in the presence of space-charge-produced internal fields. Results are in agreement with the proposed theory and indicate that the ferroelectric ceramics are not only producers of high-voltage photoelectricity but a photo-battery, the polarity and magnitude of which can be switched by application of an electrical signal.

Brody, P. S.↗