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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 487 records · Page 27
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1987

Results from a compound semiconductor crystal growth experiment in a low gravity environment

A directional solidification experiment in the compound semiconductor lead tin telluride has been carried out in a low-gravity environment on board the Space Shuttle during a flight in October, 1985. Optical etching techniques and concentration profiles from wavelength dispersive electron microscopy indicate that there was a significant amount of convection during the solidifcation of the sample. A preliminary hypothesis of this result, that even at gravity levels on the order of 0.0001 g, the convective forces can be significant compared to mass transport due to diffusion, is being tested.

Crouch, Roger K.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Refractory semiconductors for high temperature thermoelectric energy conversion

Thermoelectric energy conversion utilizing nuclear heat sources has been employed for several decades to generate power for deep space probes. In the past, lead telluride and, more recently, silicon-germanium alloys have been the prime choices as thermoelectric materials for this application. Currently, a number of refractory semiconductors are under investigation at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in order to produce power sources of higher conversion efficiency and, thus, lower mass per unit of power output. Included among these materials are improved Si-Ge alloys, rare earth compounds and boron-rich borides. The criteria used to select thermoelectric materials, in general, and the above materials, in particular, will be discussed. The current state of the art and the accomplishments to date in thermoelectric materials research will be reviewed.

Wood, Charles↗
NASA NTRS1989

Center for the development of commercial crystal growth in space

The second year of operation of the Center for Commercial Crystal Growth in Space is described. This center is a consortium of businesses, universities and national laboratories. The primary goal of the Center's research is the development of commercial crystal growth in space. A secondary goal is to develop scientific understanding and technology which will improve commercial crystal growth on earth. In order to achieve these goals the Center's research is organized into teams by growth technique; melt growth, solution growth, and vapor growth. The melt growth team is working on solidification and characterization of bulk crystals of gallium arsenide and cadmium telluride. They used high resolution X-ray topography performed at the National Synchrotron Light Source at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Streak-like features were found in the diffraction images of semi-insulating undoped LEC GaAs. These were shown to be (110) antiphase boundaries, which have not been reported before but appear to be pervasive and responsible for features seen via less-sensitive characterization methods. The results on CdTe were not as definitive, but indicate that antiphase boundaries may also be responsible for the double peaks often seen in X-ray rocking curves of this material. A liquid encapsulated melt zone system for GaAs has been assembled and techniques for casting feed rods developed. It was found that scratching the inside of the quartz ampoules with silicon carbide abrasive minimized sticking of the GaAs to the quartz. Twelve floating zone experiments were done.

Wilcox, William R.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Advances in thin-film solar cells for lightweight space photovoltaic power

The present stature and current research directions of photovoltaic arrays as primary power systems for space are reviewed. There have recently been great advances in the technology of thin-film solar cells for terrestrial applications. In a thin-film solar cell the thickness of the active element is only a few microns; transfer of this technology to space arrays could result in ultralow-weight solar arrays with potentially large gains in specific power. Recent advances in thin-film solar cells are reviewed, including polycrystalline copper-indium selenide (CuInSe2) and related I-III-VI2 compounds, polycrystalline cadmium telluride and related II-VI compounds, and amorphous silicon:hydrogen and alloys. The best experimental efficiency on thin-film solar cells to date is 12 percent AMO for CuIn Se2. This efficiency is likely to be increased in the next few years. The radiation tolerance of thin-film materials is far greater than that of single-crystal materials. CuIn Se2 shows no degradation when exposed to 1 MeV electrons. Experimental evidence also suggests that most of all of the radiation damage on thin-films can be removed by a low temperature anneal. The possibility of thin-film multibandgap cascade solar cells is discussed, including the tradeoffs between monolithic and mechanically stacked cells. The best current efficiency for a cascade is 12.5 percent AMO for an amorphous silicon on CuInSe2 multibandgap combination. Higher efficiencies are expected in the future. For several missions, including solar-electric propulsion, a manned Mars mission, and lunar exploration and manufacturing, thin-film photovolatic arrays may be a mission-enabling technology.

Landis, Geoffrey A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Airborne imaging spectrometer II - The optical design

The Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS I) was a multispectral infrared imaging instrument utilizing a 32 x 32 element mercury-cadmium-telluride detector array. A novel optical design provided high spectral resolution and, in conjunction with the 32-element spatial resolution, made optimal use of the capabilities of the area array. The operational successes of this proof-of-concept instrument, coupled with advances in infrared detector array technology, have provided the impetus and opportunity to upgrade the instrument by replacing the sensor with a newly developed 64 x 64 detector. The original instrument configuration is reviewed, and the design considerations, limitations and trade-offs necessitated by the new detector are examined, particularly the near doubling of the field of view and the increase from 1024 to 4096 pixels per read-out frame.

La Baw, Clayton↗
NASA NTRS1989

Modelling melt-solid interfaces in Bridgman growth

Doped epoxy models with abrupt interfaces were prepared to test radiographic and computer enhancement procedures used to study the images of melt-solid interfaces during crystal growth in Bridgman furnaces. A column averaging procedure resulted in improved images that faithfully reproduced the positions and shapes of interfaces even at very low density differences. These techniques were applied to lead tin telluride growing in Bridgman furnaces.

Barber, Patrick G.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Thermoelectric power conversion in space

A radiatively-heated multicouple for use in the next generation of radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) will employ 20 individual couples within a single cell, so that 40 n- and p-semiconductor legs will be interconnected in series. At the hot end of the RTG, the legs will be electrically interconnected using silicon molybdenum; on the cold side, the legs are interconnected by tungsten. The entire cell is then mechanically attached to a radiator, which conducts heat away and radiates it into space. Deep-space applications will use RTGs developed for vacuum operation; thermoelectric converter power systems using a unicouple configuration have flown on such missions as Pioneers 10 and 11, which used lead telluride thermoelectric converters, and Voyagers I and II, which used silicon germanium-based thermoelectrics.

Awaya, Henry I.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Viscosity measurements at high temperature and high pressure: A novel technique

The extensive numerical modelling of transport phenomena was performed for the melt growth of mercury cadmium telluride. To increase the fidelity of modelling the kinematic viscosity of liquid Hg(1-x)Cd(x)Te was determined at various compositions in the range of x between 0 and 0.2 and at temperatures around and below the respective melting point. The phase diagram of Hg(1-x)Cd(x)Te shows that for this range the melting point varies from 670 C for pure HgTe to 790 C at x=0.2. The vapor pressure above the melt varies correspondingly from 15 to about 40 atm. Hence, the measurement of viscosities in this system requires a technique that allows for combinations of high temperatures and pressures. In addition, a closed isothermal system is required. The high pressure melt container must also be inert to molten Hg(1-x)Cd(x)Te to avoid possible errors from contamination of the liquid. A novel technique that largely circumvents the above experimental problems is described. Its theory is also presented.

Jin, Wei-Qing↗
NASA NTRS1991

Exposure to space radiation of high-performance infrared multilayer filters

The University of Reading experiment exposed IR interference filters and crystal substrates on identical earth facing and leading-edge sites of the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF). Filters mostly comprised multilayer coatings of lead telluride (PbTe)/II-IV on germanium (Ge) and other substrates: crystals comprised CdTe, MgF2, sapphire, quartz, silicon, and some softer materials. Identical control samples were maintained in the laboratory throughout the experiment. The filters were novel in their design, construction and manufacture, and categorized high-performance because of their ability to resolve emission spectra of the important atmospheric gases for various purposes in remote sensing. No significant changes were found in the spectra of the hard-coated filters or in the harder crystals (the softer materials were degraded to an extent). By virtue of this well-documented and long exposure in LDEF, the qualification of the filter type is significantly improved for its future requirements.

Seeley, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Crystal regularity with high-resolution synchrotron X-radiation diffraction imaging

New, high-resolution sources of X-radiation such as monochromatic synchrotron radiation beams with subarcsec divergence allow observation of regularities in a range of crystals with sufficient clarity for comprehensive analyses, whose results can deepen understanding of the nature of various crystal irregularities, their sources, and their effects on device performance. An account is presented of the results thus achievable with irregularities encountered in lattice orientation and strain, grain and subgrain boundaries, dislocations, domain boundaries, additional phases, and surface scratches. Significant achievements to date encompass the observation of critical anomalies in lead tin telluride, the reconciliation of disparate observations of GaAs, the determination of the performance effects of irregularities in mercuric iodide, and the characterization of the origins of crystal growth in bismuth silicon oxide.

Steiner, Bruce↗
NASA NTRS1991

High resolution synchrotron X-radiation diffraction imaging of crystals grown in microgravity and closely related terrestrial crystals

Irregularities in three crystals grown in space and in four terrestrial crystals grown under otherwise comparable conditions have been observed in high resolution diffraction imaging. The images provide important new clues to the nature and origins of irregularities in each crystal. For two of the materials, mercuric iodide and lead tin telluride, more than one phase (an array of non-diffracting inclusions) was observed in terrestrial samples; but the formation of these multiple phases appears to have been suppressed in directly comparable crystals grown in microgravity. The terrestrial seed crystal of triglycine sulfate displayed an unexpected layered structure, which propagated during directly comparable space growth. Terrestrial Bridgman regrowth of gallium arsenide revealed a mesoscopic structure substantially different from that of the original Czochralski material. A directly comparable crystal is to be grown shortly in space.

Steiner, Bruce↗
NASA NTRS1991

Thin-Film Photovoltaics: Status and Applications to Space Power

The potential applications of thin film polycrystalline and amorphous cells for space are discussed. There have been great advances in thin film solar cells for terrestrial applications; transfer of this technology to space applications could result in ultra low weight solar arrays with potentially large gains in specific power. Recent advances in thin film solar cells are reviewed, including polycrystalline copper iridium selenide and related I-III-VI2 compounds, polycrystalline cadmium telluride and related II-VI compounds, and amorphous silicon alloys. The possibility of thin film multi bandgap cascade solar cells is discussed.

Landis, Geoffrey A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Process modelling for materials preparation experiments

The development is examined of mathematical tools and measurement of transport properties necessary for high fidelity modeling of crystal growth from the melt and solution, in particular for the Bridgman-Stockbarger growth of mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) and the solution growth of triglycine sulphate (TGS). The tasks include development of a spectral code for moving boundary problems, kinematic viscosity measurements on liquid MCT at temperatures close to the melting point, and diffusivity measurements on concentrated and supersaturated TGS solutions. A detailed description is given of the work performed for these tasks, together with a summary of the resulting publications and presentations.

Rosenberger, Franz↗
NASA NTRS1991

High resolution diffraction imaging of crystals grown in microgravity and closely related terrestrial crystals

Irregularities found in three crystals grown in space, in four crystals grown entirely on the ground were examined and compared. Irregularities were observed in mercuric iodide, lead tin telluride, triglycine sulfate, and gallium arsenide by high resolution synchrotron x radiation diffraction imaging. Radiation detectors made from mercuric iodide crystals grown in microgravity were reported to perform far better than conventional detectors grown from the same material under full gravity. Effort is now underway to reproduce these 'space' crystals, optimize their properties, and extend comparable superiority to other types of materials.

Steiner, B.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Gallium arsenide quantum well-based far infrared array radiometric imager

We have built an array-based camera (FIRARI) for thermal imaging (lambda = 8 to 12 microns). FIRARI uses a square format 128 by 128 element array of aluminum gallium arsenide quantum well detectors that are indium bump bonded to a high capacity silicon multiplexer. The quantum well detectors offer good responsivity along with high response and noise uniformity, resulting in excellent thermal images without compensation for variation in pixel response. A noise equivalent temperature difference of 0.02 K at a scene temperature of 290 K was achieved with the array operating at 60 K. FIRARI demonstrated that AlGaAS quantum well detector technology can provide large format arrays with performance superior to mercury cadmium telluride at far less cost.

Forrest, Kathrine A.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Applications of thin-film photovoltaics for space

The authors discuss the potential applications of thin-film polycrystalline and amorphous cells for space. There have been great advances in thin-film solar cells for terrestrial applications. Transfer of this technology to space applications could result in ultra low-weight solar arrays with potentially large gains in specific power. Recent advances in thin-film solar cells are reviewed, including polycrystalline copper indium selenide and related I-III-VI2 compounds, polycrystalline cadmium telluride and related II-VI compounds, and amorphous silicon arrays. The possibility of using thin-film multi-bandgap cascade solar cells is discussed.

Landis, Geoffrey A.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Polymer Substrates For Lightweight, Thin-Film Solar Cells

Substrates survive high deposition temperatures. High-temperature-resistant polymers candidate materials for use as substrates of lightweight, flexible, radiation-resistant solar photovoltaic cells. According to proposal, thin films of copper indium diselenide or cadmium telluride deposited on substrates to serve as active semiconductor layers of cells, parts of photovoltaic power arrays having exceptionally high power-to-weight ratios. Flexibility of cells exploited to make arrays rolled up for storage.

Lewis, Carol R.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Process modelling for materials preparation experiments

The main goals of the research under this grant consist of the development of mathematical tools and measurement of transport properties necessary for high fidelity modeling of crystal growth from the melt and solution, in particular, for the Bridgman-Stockbarger growth of mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) and the solution growth of triglycine sulphate (TGS). Of the tasks described in detail in the original proposal, two remain to be worked on: (1) development of a spectral code for moving boundary problems; and (2) diffusivity measurements on concentrated and supersaturated TGS solutions. Progress made during this seventh half-year period is reported.

Rosenberger, Franz↗