Abstract: A rigid panel solar array for a spacecraft. The layers of materials for the panels are selected and oriented to control the net coefficient of thermal expansion in the array's longitudinal direction. Some of the layers are discontinuous and softly coupled to the others by flexible adhesive materials. The panels are interconnected with hinge members which are positioned at appropriate locations and with appropriate degrees of freedom so that thermally induced transverse bending does not cause transverse motion of the center-of-mass of the panels.

Abstract: A photovoltaic element produced from a product resulting from decomposition of a silicon polymer having an organic substituent of the group consisting of a hydrocarbon group, a halogenated hydrocarbon group, and a silyl group R.sup.3 R.sup.4 R.sup.5 Si- (wherein R.sup.3 -R.sup.5 each are identical or different, including C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl groups and C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl groups). The inventive photovoltaic element is substantially pollution-free and capable of quantity production at a relatively large unit size.

Abstract: Methods for forming a wraparound electrical contact on a solar cell require minimal labor and result in high device yields at low cost. A decal having a patterned electrically conductive material is disposed on a first surface of the solar cell. The decal may be a liquid-transfer or heat-transfer decal. A portion of the decal is wrapped around at least one edge of the solar cell for contacting a second surface of the solar cell. The decal is processed to remove organic matter and form an ohmic contact.

Abstract: A solar cell has electrical conductors applied on a pattern of electric contacts on a front surface and extending transversely relative thereto with a portion projecting beyond the edge of the solar cell. The formation of the electrical pattern includes at least two elongated portions interconnected by a return portion which extends beyond the one edge. This return portion provides a stiffening suitable for reliable interconnection to an additional solar cell to achieve a connection of two conductors in the projecting region.

Abstract: A rotatable magnetron cathode has one end adapted to be attached to a drive shaft and a free end supported by a yoke suspended from spring-loaded supporting devices attached to a sputtering chamber wall. A dark space shield is attached to the cathode where the cathode connects to the drive shaft of its motor so as to rotate with the cathode. Another dark space shield is attached at the free end of the cathode with an insulator bearing in between such that the cathode can rotate without causing the shield at its front to also rotate. An insulator pad is placed between the yoke and a metal cover piece attached to the shield at the front so as to keep the frontal dark space shield in an electrically floating condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the intensity and frequency of arcing in a reactive DC sputtering process when the process uses an arc-suppression system which interrupts or reverses the voltage applied to the sputtering target. A plasma having required properties is introduced into the vicinity of the sputtering target by means of a separate plasma applicator which operates independently of the target.

Abstract: A thermophotovoltaic generator provides a greater power output while maintaining a compact, simplistic structure. The generator includes a burner having adjustable fuel and air flows, an infrared radiation emitter suspended above the flame nozzle of the burner and a cylindrical receiver surrounding the emitter. The emitter is a conical infrared emitter connected to the burner by wires. The emitter is positioned above the burner nozzle such that the emitter is immersed in the generated hydrocarbon flame. The emitter material catalyzes combustion on its surface. Infrared energy radiated by the heated emitter is collected by a cylindrical receiver that completely encircles the emitter. The receiver includes a flexible circuit having an inner surface, an outer surface, opposite ends, top and bottom edges and bending regions. First and second rows of low bandgap cells are connected to the top and bottom edges of the circuit, respectively, away from the bending regions.

Abstract: An integrated solar cell-bypass diode assembly is provided by forming at least one recess in the back (non-illuminated) side of the solar cell and placing at least one discrete low-profile bypass diode in respective recesses so that each bypass diode is approximately flush with the back side of the solar cell. Each bypass diode is bonded to the solar cell for anti-parallel connection across the solar cell. The back side of the solar cell is preferably formed with a honeycomb pattern of recesses to reduce the weight of the solar cell while maintaining mechanical strength. The recesses that receive bypass diodes preferably have a rectangular shape that better accommodates the bypass diode.

Abstract: A vacuum sputtering apparatus for forming metal lines on a semiconductor wafer, including an annular reactive gas injector and a silicon carbide chuck for direct uniform heating of the wafer to a high temperature, preferably in the range of approximately 500.degree. C. to 800.degree. C., thereby allowing the deposition of titanium and titanium nitride layers having uniform thickness and composition.

Abstract: Discrete carrier and lattice structures are bonded together to form a lightweight rigid solar panel. The carrier includes a pair of electrically inert face sheets bonded on opposite sides of a thin thermoconductive honeycomb core. The face sheets provide an electrically inert surface for receiving a solar cell array and the honeycomb core forms a heat sink for conducting heat away from the solar cell array. The lattice includes a pair of patterned face sheets having a high elastic modulus bonded on opposite sides of a lattice base. The patterned face sheets provide axial stiffness and the lattice base separates them to provide bending stiffness. By splitting the solar panel into discrete carrier and lattice components, the present invention reduces the weight of existing solar panels by approximately 40% and increases power efficiency by approximately 10%.

Abstract: A system for modifying the radiant energy spectrum of a thermal energy source to produce a desired spectral bandwidth profile including a frequency-selective resonant micromesh filter (50) confronting a thermal energy source (80). Micromesh filter (50) includes an array of resonant-conductive antenna elements (50', 50") and a substrate (56) for supporting the antenna elements. Thermal radiation (82) emitted from energy source (80) is filtered by micromesh filter (50), wherein radiant energy at particular wavelengths is reflected back to the energy source, while certain wavelength photons are transmitted through the micromesh filter.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for producing a photovoltaic device which is excellent in conversion efficiency and economical efficiency of mass production. Such a photovoltaic device is produced by forming a first metal oxide film on a metal member by non-reactive sputtering, forming a second metal oxide film on the first metal oxide film by reactive sputtering, and forming a semiconductor on the second metal oxide film.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a first n.sup.+ type layer formed on the upper surface of a p type silicon substrate, a p type layer formed on the back surface of the substrate and having a dopant impurity concentration higher than that of the substrate, and a second n type layer formed at least on the edge face of the substrate so as to connect the first n type layer and the p type layer. The second n type layer has an impurity concentration lower than that of the first n.sup.+ layer proximate the region in contact with the p type layer.

Abstract: An impermeable, stainless steel, high chrome content container, with an inside surface coating of photo-voltaic elements comprising PN junctions upon which photons and/or electrons are impinged for conversion to electrons to produce useful electric energy; and containing an ionizing radiation energy source surrounded by an ionizable material to induce the ionizable material to emit a photon and/or electron for deposition on the PN junction elements to convert into electrical energy.

Abstract: The invention provides method and apparatus for supplying electrical energy to battery powered equipment of the type utilizing removable batteries.

Abstract: A film having a low resistivity until the end of a sputtering target life is obtained when fabricating transparent conductive ITO films on a number of or a single substrate continuously by magnetron sputtering. A method of fabricating by magnetron sputtering transparent conductive ITO films having In and O as basic constituent elements and added Sn as a donor in an atmosphere comprising an inert gas and O.sub.2 is provided in which a sintered mixture of oxides of In and Sn is used as a target. This method includes a first step of performing film deposition, and a second step of performing, after the first step is stopped, electric discharge at a power density at which the rate at which the target is eroded is faster than the formation rate of the superficial oxygen-deficient layer of the target in order to remove the superficial oxygen-deficient layer of the target formed in the first step. The first and second steps are alternately repeated.

Abstract: An illumination source comprising a porous silicon having a source of electrons on the surface and/or interticies thereof having a total porosity in the range of from about 50 v/o to about 90 v/o. Also disclosed are a tritiated porous silicon and a photovoltaic device and an illumination source of tritiated porous silicon.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device which has high conversion efficiency and high reliability, and a manufacturing method to make the photoelectric conversion device at a low cost are provided by improving a method of forming a transparent conductive metal oxide film to achieve stable film production for a long period of time and to prevent deterioration in transparency and resistance of such an oxide layer otherwise caused by high-rate film formation. In a method of manufacturing a photoelectric conversion device which comprises a reflecting layer at least one surface of which has high reflectivity to light, and a transparent conductive oxide layer formed by a sputtering process, a thin film semiconductor junction laminate a transparent electrode which are formed on the reflecting layer in this order, the metal oxide layer is formed by sputtering in which a metal oxide target having specific resistance not larger than 5.0 .OMEGA.cm and a crystal particle size not larger than 15 .mu.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device produced by successively laminating on a conductive substrate a transparent conductive layer, a silicon containing non-monocrystal layer of a first conductivity type; a silicon containing non-monocrystal layer of an i-type; and a silicon containing non-monocrystal layer of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type. The silicon containing non-monocrystal layer of the first conductivity type contains at least one metallic element which constitutes the transparent conductive layer.

Abstract: A target, target backing plate, and cover plate form a target plate assembly. The sputtering target assembly includes an integral cooling passage. A series of grooves are constructed in either the target backing plate or the target backing cooling cover plate, which are then securely bonded to one another. The sputtering target can be a single monolith with a target backing plate or can be securely attached to the target backing plate by one of any number of conventional bonding methods. Tantalum to titanium, titanium to titanium and aluminum to titanium, diffusion bonding can be used.The target plate assembly completely covers and seals against a top opening of a sputtering processing chamber. Cooling liquid connections are provided only from the perimeter of the target assembly. When a top vacuum chamber seals the side opposite the pressure chamber, the pressure on both sides of the target assembly is nearly equalized.