The manufacturing of large silicon photovoltaic arrays, suitable for use in solar power satellites, from lunar materials is discussed in detail. The system constraints include: the use of lunar materials only; processes must be compatible with zero-gravity, therefore excluding open liquids; all processes should be based on existing technologies and if possible should be continuous for high throughput, as well as automated and easily maintainable to minimize the need for human presence. Purification of materials is covered as is the growth of single and polycrystalline silicon. Processing steps such as doping, gettering, lithography, deposition of metallic and insulating films as well as wirebonding techniques are covered. The possibility of manufacturing highly efficient point-contact silicon photovoltaics (greater than 27 % efficiency) with the aforementioned processing constraints is covered.
Fabrication of large photovoltaic arrays in space from lunar materials
Fertigung grosser Photoelementanordnungen im Raum aus Werkstoffen vom Mond
Space Power ; 7 , 3/4 ; 235-246
1987
12 Seiten, 3 Bilder, 4 Tabellen, 55 Quellen
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Englisch
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