Effects of electrostatic rocket material deposited on solar cells.

Abstract

If solar arrays on solar-electric spacecraft protrude into the exhaust hemisphere of the electric thrusters, they will receive fluxes (usually small) of both propellant and accelerator grid atoms. Unlike propellants, grid materials have low vapor pressures and will not reevaporate. An analysis is presented of degradation in the optical, thermal, and electrical performance of solar cells resulting from thin deposits of grid material (aluminum and molybdenum) on various array surfaces. The classical optical theory of thin films, heat balance equations, and a typical relationship for solar cell efficiency vs temperature are used to compute curves showing optical properties, temperature, and power output as functions of film thickness. The results compare favorably with available experimental data. It is shown that a few monolayers of metal deposition on the illuminated surface will seriously degrade cell performance. A means of estimating the arrival rate of these materials is provided.