Design and Stress Analysis of Extraterrestrial ... - The Black Vault

Photoelectric Converters
In a photoelectric converter, frequently called a solar battery,
potential difference between positive and negative parts of the
semiconductor arises under the effect of light quanta. This is
caused by photons knocking out a certain number of free electrons.
Photoelectric vonverters are a widely known type of converter
for low electrical powers. They are widely used in various space
vehicles. Their advantages are the following: they are simple in
design and operation, provide "free" solar energy, and, therefore,
in some cases are irreplaceable.
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Fig. 3.1041. Design of a photoelement.
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The disadvantages are the drop in efficiency of these elements
as a result of their irradiation in space by flows of charged
particles and the change in the composition and properties of a
semiconductor, as well as the degrading of the photoelectric properties
of elements upon an increase in their temperature. It is
known that heating an element by 800C leads to a triple drop in its
power.
A photoelectric converter is made of selenium, germanium, or
silicon semiconducting elements. The most widespread are se.licon
elements because of their good spectral sensitivity to solar radiation
and also the highest specific power.
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