Communications Satellite Corporation

John H Reynolds

Andrew Meulenberg, Jr

A solar cell is constructed such that the losses resulting from radiation damage are reduced without sacrificing efficiency in the unirradiated cell. This is done by using a first conductivity type junction on the front of a high resistivity cell and a second, opposite conductivity type junction on the back of the cell. The two junctions are separated by an intrinsic region, and the cell potential, which is normally reduced by using high resistivity substrate material, is instead raised by using the second junction. The cell includes a reflective back surface and a non-reflective front surface to further enhance light absorption within the active cell volume. The reflective back surface is formed by polishing the substrate. The non-reflective front surface is a multi-pyramidal or V-grooved surface formed by preferential etching of the substrate material. The front electrode is a fine geometry grid deposited over the front surface of the cell. An anti-reflection coating may additionally be provided over the front surface of the cell to further promote the non-reflective characteristics of that surface. Further, a cover slide may be cemented to the front surface of the cell.

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Gaithersburg, MD, United States of America

John H Reynolds