Abstract: A method of manufacturing a charge dissipative surface layer on a member made from or consisting of a dielectric polymeric material or polymer-based composite which is intended to be used in space and other extreme environments, the member having at least one surface, in particular two opposing surfaces, each of the surfaces having a flat or a three-dimensional shape. The method includes carbonizing the at least one surface of the member in a vacuum environment through ion bombardment with simultaneous surface renewal in a dynamic way, by bombardment of the at least one surface with an ion beam formed in a gaseous linear high-current technological ion beam source of rare gas and added predetermined amount of a carbonaceous gas in the same ion beam gas admixture in order to achieve a treated carbonized surface layer with a uniform surface resistivity in a charge-dissipative range.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal foil composed of an aluminium-magnesium alloy which includes scandium and zirconium, and also the metal foil produced accordingly are described. With such a foil it is possible, for example, to produce connectors for solar cells, which may be employed in particular in aerospace, for example in satellites.

Abstract: A multi-junction solar cell includes a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface of a semiconductor body. A topmost pn-junction of a plurality of pn-junctions stacked on top of each other adjoins to the first main surface. A cell edge of the semiconductor body defines a shape of the first and the second main surfaces. An encapsulant on the first main surface provides an environmental protection of the semiconductor body. A mesa groove is provided on the first main surface and penetrates at least the topmost pn-junction. The mesa groove is located adjacent to the cell edge and is created around the circumference of the semiconductor body for providing an inner cell area and a mesa wall, the mesa wall being created between the mesa groove and the cell edge. The mesa groove is filled with the encapsulant.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a charge dissipative surface layer on a member made from or consisting of a dielectric polymeric material or polymer-based composite which is intended to be used in space and other extreme environments, the member having at least one surface, in particular two opposing surfaces, each of the surfaces having a flat or a three-dimensional shape. The method includes carbonizing the at least one surface of the member in a vacuum environment through ion bombardment with simultaneous surface renewal in a dynamic way, by bombardment of the at least one surface with an ion beam formed in a gaseous linear high-current technological ion beam source of rare gas and added predetermined amount of a carbonaceous gas in the same ion beam gas admixture in order to achieve a treated carbonized surface layer with a uniform surface resistivity in a charge-dissipative range.

Abstract: A multi-junction solar cell includes a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface of a semiconductor body. A topmost pn-junction of a plurality of pn-junctions stacked on top of each other adjoins to the first main surface. A cell edge of the semiconductor body defines a shape of the first and the second main surfaces. An encapsulant on the first main surface provides an environmental protection of the semiconductor body. A mesa groove is provided on the first main surface and penetrates at least the topmost pn-junction. The mesa groove is located adjacent to the cell edge and is created around the circumference of the semiconductor body for providing an inner cell area and a mesa wall, the mesa wall being created between the mesa groove and the cell edge. The mesa groove is filled with the encapsulant.