Space photovoltaics is dominated by multi-junction (III-V) technology. However, emerging applications will require solar arrays with high specific power (kW/kg), flexibility in stowage and deployment, and a significantly lower cost than the current III-V technology offers. This research demonstrates direct deposition of thin film CdTe onto the radiation-hard cover glass that is normally laminated to any solar cell deployed in space. Four CdTe samples, with 9 defined contact device areas of 0.25 cm 2 , were irradiated with protons of 0.5-MeV energy and varying fluences. However, there are emerging applications which will require solar arrays with high specific power (kW/kg), flexibility in stowage and deployment, and a significantly lower cost than is currently available.
4New space PV technologies need to be developed to meet the needs of future advances in space exploration and energy harvesting. Some
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Narcissus is a stray light problem for infrared imaging sensors. Control ofnarcissus is a requirement for designing scanning sensors and narcissus analysis tools are available in some optical raytrace programs. These tools have not been optimized for staring sensors. Narcissus is assumed to be unimportant in staring array designs because the shading effects can be removed by offset correction of the detector array data. This would be sufficient for sensors which meet the following conditions: (1) calibrated at the enirance aperture, (2) operate at a constant optical housing temperature, (3) no movement of lenses for focus or change in field of view. Narcissus may be noticeable for sensors not meeting these conditions. We have developed procedures for applying existing narcissus analysis tools to staring sensors. A staring array prototype FLIR has been analyzed. Laboratory tests have confirmed the narcissus analysis.
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