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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 595 records · Page 33

“Green” Fabrication of High-performance Transparent Conducting Electrodes by Blade Coating and Photonic Curing on PET for Perovskite Solar Cells

This study presents an innovative material processing approach to fabricate transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs) on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates using blade coating and photonic curing. The hybrid TCEs consist of a multiscale Ag network, combining silver metal bus lines and nanowires, overcoated by an indium zinc oxide layer, and then photonically cured. Blade coating ensures film uniformity and thickness control over large areas. Photonic curing, a non-thermal processing method with significantly lower carbon emissions, enhances the conductivity and transparency of the coated layers. Our hybrid TCEs achieve an average transmittance of (81 ± 0.4)% referenced to air ((90 ± 0.4)% referenced to the PET substrate) in the visible range, an average sheet resistance of (11 ± 0.5) Ω sq−1, and an average surface roughness of (4.3 ± 0.4) nm. We benchmark these values against commercial PET/TCE substrates. Mechanical durability tests demonstrate <3% change in resistance after 2000 bending cycles at a 1 in radius. The scalable potential of the hybrid TCE fabrication method is demonstrated by high uniformity and excellent properties in 7 in × 8 in large-area samples and by performing the photonic curing process at 11 m min−1. Furthermore, halide perovskite solar cells fabricated on these hybrid TCEs achieve average and champion power conversion efficiencies of (10.5 ± 1.0) % and 12.2%, respectively, and significantly outperform devices made on commercial PET/TCEs. This work showcases our approach as a viable pathway for high-speed “green” manufacturing of high-performance TCEs on PET substrates for flexible optoelectronic devices.

Bonner, Justin C↗

Electro-optic crystals and their use for light modulation

Several methods of modulating a beam of light, which have been described in the literature, utilizing the influence of an electrical signal on the birefringence of certain crystals, will be reviewed. These employ optics which respond to the state of polarization of a light beam, and include intensity modulation, position modulation, and the possibility of an electrically tuned optical filter. The influence of the piezo-optic, or strain contribution to the total electro-optic response in the design of an optoelectronic device will be discussed. Current experimental work in our laboratory in which the strain contribution is separated from the direct effect will be described. The strain-free effect is measured by applying a step voltage to the crystal, and observing the initial response. The electro-optical transient response can be observed with nanosecond time resolution. An electronic sampling technique is used to extract the desired response from photon noise. The stress-free or low-frequency effect is measured similarly but at low audio frequencies. Single crystal tetragonal BaT10 3 has been investigated in detail with the result that the strain-optic contribution to the low frequency effect r_(c) = r_(33)—r_(13) is about 80% of the total, where it is only 10% in KDP and 45% in ADP. The magnitudes of the electro-optic effect, dielectric constant, and other related properties are compared for several materials potentially useful as electro-optic modulators, and some comments are made about the practical problems of building a modulator.

ELECTRO-OPTICS↗

Electro-optically-indexed microwave switch

Mechanical parts used in conventional switches to index stepper motor that drives switch elements are replaced by optoelectronic indexing device that controls magnetic-detent motor. Unit eliminates major source of wear and maintains detent accuracy longer. Design of device achieves reduction of insertion loss, crosstalk, and wave guide reflections when receiving and transmitting.

Neff, D. E.↗

Film-advance monitor

Device checks film advancement in remote cameras by adding optoelectronic sensor and idler spocket with beam-breaker disk. Monitor is helpful to operators of cameras placed in hostile environments.

Dreisback, F. R.↗

Miniature Two-Axis Joystick Controller

Novel movable-button-actuated self-centering controller uses optoelectronics to produce X and Y signals for aircraft control. In addition to be extremely compact, device puts our voltages having high signal-to-noise ratio, especially at critical center position where in many controllers this ratio is poorest. Combination of new saddle-shaped button and positive centering gives "feel" and "breakout" met with pilot approval.

Hollow, R.↗

Use of the Space Shuttle for remote sensing experimentation during the 1980's

Planned and possible future experiments that may be conducted on Space Shuttle missions of the mid and later 1980s are discussed. Remote sensing experiments will be performed on Shuttle missions STS-7, STS-9, STS-11, and STS-17, and will conduct surveys using the Modular Optoelectronic Multispectral Scanner, a multispectral linear array imager; a high-resolution metric photographic camera; the Microwave Remote Sensing experiment, with capabilities for passive and active operation as an X-band radiometer, scatterometer or synthetic aperture radar; the Large Format Camera, a high-resolution photogrammetric camera with forward motion compensation; and the four experiments of the OSTA-3 payload: Shuttle Imaging Radar-B, the Measurement of Air Pollution from Space experiment, the Feature Identification and Location Experiment, and the Large Format Camera. Conceptual plans for experiments that may be conducted in the latter part of the decade include a high spectral resolution imaging sensor, multispectral radar surveys, and multispectral measurements in the thermal infrared.

Settle, M.↗

Short-Range Digital Optical Links

Concept based on multiple optoelectronic chips. Proposed network of semiconductor lasers used for communication and radar. Network includes small integrated transmitters, receivers, and data processors placed at strategic points on station and vehicles.

Dickinson, R. M.↗

Crystal growth of device quality GaAs in space

GaAs device technology has recently reached a new phase of rapid advancement, made possible by the improvement of the quality of GaAs bulk crystals. At the same time, the transition to the next generation of GaAs integrated circuits and optoelectronic systems for commercial and government applications hinges on new quantum steps in three interrelated areas: crystal growth, device processing and device-related properties and phenomena. Special emphasis is placed on the establishment of quantitative relationships among crystal growth parameters-material properties-electronic properties and device applications. The overall program combines studies of crystal growth on novel approaches to engineering of semiconductor material (i.e., GaAs and related compounds); investigation and correlation of materials properties and electronic characteristics on a macro- and microscale; and investigation of electronic properties and phenomena controlling device applications and device performance.

Gatos, H. C.↗

Future directions in optical processing

Three aspects of optical processing are discussed. The three aspects are: (1) the potential of this emerging technology; (2) the major limitations preventing wide scale implementation of optical processors and the importance of future research in these areas is emphasized; (3) the importance of nonlinear optics in developing optoelectronic interconnects for VLSI.

Neff, J. A.↗

Wide-Brightness-Range Video Camera

Television camera selectively attenuates bright areas in scene without affecting dim areas. Camera views scenes containing extremes of light and dark without overexposing light areas and underexposing dark ones. Camera uses liquid-crystal light valve for selective attenuation. Feedback cathoderay tube locally alters reflection characteristics of liquid-crystal light valve. Results in point-to-point optoelectronic automatic gain control to enable viewing of both dark and very bright areas within scene.

Craig, G. D.↗

Flowmeter for Clear Fluids

Electronic flowmeter measures flow rate of clear or translucent fluids. Instrument produces electrical signal proportional to volume of fluid flowing through it per unit time. Optoelectronic instrument generates electrical signal proportional to fluid-flow rate.

White, P. R.↗

Measurement of high temperature strain by the laser-speckle strain gauge

By using the laser-speckle strain gauge, the strain of metal at the temperature lower than 250 C is measured. The principle of the gauge is to measure the expansion or contraction of the fine structures of surface by detecting the resultant speckle displacement in an optoelectronic way, whereby the effect of rigid-body motion is automatically cancelled out with the aid of a differential detection system. A transportable apparatus was built and a comparison experiment performed with a resistance strain gauge at room temperature. It has a strain sensitivity of .00002, a gauge length smaller than 1 mm, and no upper limit in a range of strain measurement. In the measurement of high-temperature strain it is free from the need for a dummy gauge and insensitive to an electric drift effect. As examples of strain measurement at high-temperature, thermal expansion and contraction of a top of a soldering iron are measured. The interval of the measurement can be made at shortest 1.6 sec. and the change in the strain is clearly followed until the ultimate stationary temperature is reached.

Yamaguchi, I.↗

Separate-contact phase-locked semiconductor laser arrays

The novel optoelectronic devices discussed, phase-locked semiconductor laser arrays with separate contacts can perform a variety of near field and far field pattern tailoring functions and control mutual coherence among array elements, as well as lasing wavelength selectivity and tunability. Attention is presently given to experimental results from such arrays, which indicate that the threshold currents of the 4-micron wide lasers employed are typically 60 mA. The separate contacts to each one of them are provided by means of two-level metallization.

Katz, J.↗

Structure variation of the index of refraction of GaAs-AlAs superlattices and multiple quantum wells

A detailed calculation of the index refraction of various GaAs-AlAs superlattices is presented for the first time. The calculation is performed by using a hybrid approach which combines the k-p method with the pseudopotential technique. Appropriate quantization conditions account for the influence of the superstructures on the electronic properties of the systems. The results of the model are in very good agreement with the experimental data. In comparison with the index of refraction of the corresponding AlGaAs alloy, characterized by the same average mole fraction of Al, the results indicate that the superlattice index of refraction values attain maxima at the various quantized transition energies. For certain structures the difference can be as large as 2 percent. These results suggest that the waveguiding and dispersion relation properties of optoelectronic devices can be tailored to design for specific optical application by an appropriate choice of the superlattice structure parameters.

Kahen, K. B.↗

Optical Monitoring of Weld Penetration

Robotic welding controlled by reliable, relatively-noise-free optoelectronic unit. Bounding off meniscus of pool of molten metal, laser beam impinges on position-sensitive photodetector. Beam diameter adjusted for width of weld. Optical filters screen out light from arc. Made from small, low-cost components and utilizing optical fibers to conduct signals, system immune to electromagnetic interference common in industrial environments. Aimed for automatic welders, robot welders in particular and also adaptable to other types of welding, including tungsten/inert-gas, laser, and electron-beam techniques.

Maram, J.↗

Low-Resistivity Zinc Selenide for Heterojunctions

Magnetron reactive sputtering enables doping of this semiconductor. Proposed method of reactive sputtering combined with doping shows potential for yielding low-resistivity zinc selenide films. Zinc selenide attractive material for forming heterojunctions with other semiconductor compounds as zinc phosphide, cadmium telluride, and gallium arsenide. Semiconductor junctions promising for future optoelectronic devices, including solar cells and electroluminescent displays. Resistivities of zinc selenide layers deposited by evaporation or chemical vapor deposition too high to form practical heterojunctions.

Stirn, R. J.↗