Radiation damage in solar cells

Abstract

A review is given of the various aspects of solar-cell degradation in space. By way of introduction, defect creation in a solid by energetic particles is outlined, and the basic results of solar-cell theory are presented. The identification of the minority-carrier lifetime as the principal quantity of concern in solar-cell degradation then paves the way for the discussion of specific materials. The radiation damage in silicon, gallium arsenide and indium phosphide solar cells is discussed in some detail, paying particular attention to microscopic defects and their interaction with impurities.