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Berman, P. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Berman, P. A..

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1980

The applicability of DOE solar cell and array technology to space power

An evaluation of the main terrestrial photovoltaic development projects was performed. Technologies that may have applicability to space power are identified. Where appropriate, recommendations are made for programs to capitalize on developed technology. It is concluded that while the funding expended by DOE is considerably greater than the space (NASA and DOD) budget for photovoltaics, the terrestrial goals and the means for satisfying them are sufficiently different from space needs that little direct benefit currently exists for space applications.

Scott-Monck, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The applicability of DOE solar cell and array technology to space power

Current trends in terrestrial photovoltaics that might benefit future space power needs are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the Low-Cost Solar Array Project with attention given to the materials task, the silicon sheet task, the production processes and equipment task, and encapsulation. The Photovoltaic Concentrator Technology Development Project is also discussed. It is concluded that terrestrial photovoltaic technology that has either been developed to date or is currently under development will not have any significant effect on the performance or cost of solar cells and panels for space over the near term (1980-1990).

Scott-Monck, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Solar cell grid patterns

A grid pattern is described for a solar cell of the type which includes a semiconductive layer doped to a first polarity and a top counter-doped layer. The grid pattern comprises a plurality of concentric conductive grids of selected geometric shapes which are centered about the center of the exposed active surface of the counter-doped layer. Connected to the grids is one or more conductors which extend to the cell's periphery. For the pattern area, the grids and conductors are arranged in the pattern to minimize the maximum distance which any injected majority carriers have to travel to reach any of the grids or conductors. The pattern has a multiaxes symmetry with respect to the cell center to minimize the maximum temperature differentials between points on the cell surface and to provide a more uniform temperature distribution across the cell face.

Yasui, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Lithium-doped solar cell pilot line fabrication and test programs

An investigation was conducted to determine the technology readiness of lithium-doped silicon solar cells with respect to use in space programs. A pilot line fabrication program was established, in which the pilot line cells were evaluated after being exposed to environments ordinarily imposed on nonlithium-doped silicon solar cells. Results indicate that further process improvements are required, particularly with respect to the P/N junction diffusion and the electrical contacting technique (including solder coating). It is concluded that lithium-doped cells can be fabricated to exhibit (1) high efficiencies, (2) uniform cell-to-cell recovery characteristics after exposure to 1-MeV electrons; and (3) good stability in most environments investigated (the only exception being the thermal shock environment).

Berman, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Study of interaction among silicon, lithium, oxygen and radiation-induced defects for radiation-hardened solar cells

In order to improve reliability and the useful lifetime of solar cell arrays for space use, a program was undertaken to develop radiation-hardened lithium-doped silicon solar cells. These cells were shown to be significantly more resistant to degradation by ionized particles than the presently used n-p nonlithium-doped silicon solar cells. The results of various analyses performed to develop a more complete understanding of the physics of the interaction among lithium, silicon, oxygen, and radiation-induced defects are presented. A discussion is given of those portions of the previous model of radiation damage annealing which were found to be in error and those portions which were upheld by these extensive investigations.

Berman, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Development of a Thick-film Silicon Ribbon Growth Technique for Application to Large-area Solar Cells and Arrays

A new technique is described for growth of large-area silicon ribbons. This technique is an edge-defined, film-fed growth process by which single crystals can be grown having a shape controlled by the outside dimensions of a shaping die, growth taking place from an extremely thin film of liquid fed by capillary action from a crucible below. The material from which the die is fabricated is very critical to the process. The die must be wet by the silicon, but adverse impurities must not be introduced into the silicon, and the die must not become degraded by the molten silicon. A breakthrough in die fabrication that has allowed the growth of silicon ribbons having dimensions of 1 cm by 30 cm with a thickness of 0.7 mm is described. The implications of this significant advancement with respect to development of photovoltaic solar arrays for wide-scale terrestrial solar-to-electric energy conversion systems are discussed.

Berman, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Development of lithium doped radiation resistent solar cells

Lithium-doped solar cells have been fabricated with initial lot efficiencies averaging 11.9 percent in an air mass zero (AMO) solar simulator and a maximum observed efficiency of 12.8 percent. The best lithium-doped solar cells are approximately 15 percent higher in maximum power than state-of-the-art n-p cells after moderate to high fluences of 1-MeV electrons and after 6-7 months exposure to low flux irradiation by a Sr-90 beta source, which approximates the electron spectrum and flux associated with near Earth space. Furthermore, lithium-doped cells were found to degrade at a rate only one tenth that of state-of-the-art n-p cells under 28-MeV electron irradiation. Excellent progress has been made in quantitative predictions of post-irradiation current-voltage characteristics as a function of cell design by means of capacitance-voltage measurements, and this information has been used to achieve further improvements in lithium-doped cell design.

Berman, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Photovoltaic solar array technology required for three wide scale generating systems for terrestrial applications: rooftop, solar farm, and satellite

Three major options for wide-scale generation of photovoltaic energy for terrestrial use are considered: (1) rooftop array, (2) solar farm, and (3) satellite station. The rooftop array would use solar cell arrays on the roofs of residential or commercial buildings; the solar farm would consist of large ground-based arrays, probably in arid areas with high insolation; and the satellite station would consist of an orbiting solar array, many square kilometers in area. The technology advancement requirements necessary for each option are discussed, including cost reduction of solar cells and arrays, weight reduction, resistance to environmental factors, reliability, and fabrication capability, including the availability of raw materials. The majority of the technology advancement requirements are applicable to all three options, making possible a flexible basic approach regardless of the options that may eventually be chosen. No conclusions are drawn as to which option is most advantageous, since the feasibility of each option depends on the success achieved in the technology advancement requirements specified.

Berman, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Solar cell contact pull strength as a function of pull-test temperature

Four types of solar cell contacts were given pull-strength tests at temperatures between -173 and +165 C. Contacts tested were: (1) solder-coated titanium-silver contacts on n-p cells, (2) palladium-containing titanium-silver contacts on n-p cells, (3) titanium-silver contacts on 0.2-mm-thick n-p cells, and (4) solder-coated electroless-nickel-plated contacts on p-n cells. Maximum pull strength was demonstrated at temperatures significantly below the air mass zero cell equilibrium temperature of +60 C. At the lowest temperatures, the chief failure mechanism was silicon fracture along crystallographic planes; at the highest temperatures, it was loss of solder strength. In the intermediate temperatures, many failure mechanisms operated. Pull-strength tests give a good indication of the suitability of solar cell contact systems for space use. Procedures used to maximize the validity of the results are described.

Yasui, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Considerations with respect to the design of solar photovoltaic power systems for terrestrial applications

The various factors involved in the development of solar photovoltaic power systems for terrestrial application are discussed. The discussion covers the tradeoffs, compromises, and optimization studies which must be performed in order to develop a viable terrestrial solar array system. It is concluded that the technology now exists for the fabrication of terrestrial solar arrays but that the economics are prohibitive. Various approaches to cost reduction are presented, and the general requirements for materials and processes to be used are delineated.

Berman, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1972

JPL lithium doped solar cell development program

One of the most significant problems encountered in the use of silicon solar cells in space is the sensitivity of the device to electron and proton radiation exposure. The p-diffused-into-n-base solar cells were replaced with the more radiation tolerant n-diffused-into-p-base solar cells. Another advancement in achieving greater radiation tolerance was the discovery that the addition of lithium to n-base silicon resulted in what appeared to be annealing of radiation-induced defects. This phenomenon is being exploited to develop a high efficiency radiation resistant lithium-doped solar cell. Lithium-doped solar cells fabricated from oxygen-lean and oxygen-rich silicon were obtained with average initial efficiencies of 11.9% at air mass zero and 28 C, as compared to state-of-the-art n-p cells fabricated from 10 ohm cm silicon with average efficiencies of 11.3% under similar conditions. Lithium-doped cells demonstrated the ability to withstand three to five times the fluence of 1-MeV electrons before degrading to a power equivalent to state-of-the-art solar cells. The principal investigations are discussed with respect to fabrication of high efficiency radiation resistant lithium-doped cells, including starting material, p-n junction diffusion, lithium source introduction, and lithium diffusion.

Berman, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Supporting data package for TR 32-1541, effects of storage temperatures on silicon solar cell contacts

A series of summary curves is presented for cells having various contact systems, depicting the effects of temperature exposure as a function of time on the electrical and mechanical characteristics. Each curve represents the results obtained from a minimum of 32 and a maximum of 1104 individual data inputs and includes the 95% confidence limits associated with each time-temperature combination for which measurements were obtained. The curves are useful for detailed analysis and comparison of the behavior of the contact system as a function of the environmental conditions studied.

Berman, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Some major results of the Fourth Annual Conference on Effects of Lithium Doping on Silicon Solar Cells

Lithium doped silicon solar cells having dimensions as large as 12 sq cm are now possible, due to significantly improved boron-diffusion techniques. A large increase was observed in the short circuit current measured in tungsten light for cells that were fabricated using the improved diffusion techniques as compared with previous cells, indicating a preservation of minority carrier diffusion length in the base region of the former cells. Sintering of the contacts of lithium doped cells fabricated from Lopex silicon resulted in large increases in maximum power, mostly due to an open circuit voltage improvement, over non-sintered cells. Efficiencies as high as 12.8% were observed, with the average efficiency being about 11.9%.

Berman, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Environmental effects on silicon solar cells

Test results indicate that solder coating cells produces protective or deleterious effect, depending on the environment. Major problem for solder coated cells is in control of solder thickness and uniformity. Problem area for non-solder coated cells is not identified.

Berman, P. A.↗