Abstract: A photovoltaic assembly dual junction solar cell for space use including a solar cell stack including first and second subcells stacked on each other and each including an epitaxially grown light absorbing layer. The first subcell is adjacent to a solar cell stack front, light-receiving surface and the second subcell is adjacent to a solar cell stack rear surface. The first subcell light absorbing layer has a larger bandgap than the second subcell light absorbing layer. A light reflecting element positioned adjacent to a second subcell light absorbing layer rear side is configured to reflect photons having an energy smaller than the bandgap energy of the second subcell light absorbing layer and/or photons having an energy larger than the bandgap energy of the second subcell light absorbing layer and smaller than the bandgap energy of the first subcell light absorbing layer with a reflectivity of at least 90%.

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: Solar cell assembly that includes at least first and second solar cells arranged adjacent each other to form a row. First electric contact pad of first solar cell is positioned adjacent to second electric contact pad of second solar cell and second electric contact pad of first solar cell is positioned adjacent to first electric contact pad of second solar cell. Interconnectors connect each first electric contact pad of first solar cell with adjacent second electric contact pad of second solar cell and each second electric contact pad of first solar cell with adjacent first electric contact pad of second solar cell. Each interconnector is sized so that, between adjacent cells, interconnector is below first electric contact pad. Cover glass is provided on a front surface of each solar cell, and each interconnector is provided with a cover member covering a front surface of interconnector.

Abstract: A hinge assembly comprises first and second tape spring elements, wherein each of the spring elements is configured to connect a first element of a space structure to a second element of the space structure. Each of the first and the second tape spring elements is movable from a folded state into an unfolded state by releasing stored strain energy, to deploy the first and the second element of the space structure. The first tape spring element is connected to a first direct current source and configured to conduct direct current of a first polarity supplied to the first tape spring element from the first direct current source. The second tape spring element is connected to a second direct current source and configured to conduct direct current of a second polarity, opposite to the first polarity, supplied to the second tape spring element from the second direct current source.

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 high electrical conductive, high temperature stable foil material, a process for the preparation of such a high electrical conductive, high temperature stable foil material, a solar cell interconnector including the high electrical conductive, high temperature stable foil material as well as the use of the high electrical conductive, high temperature stable foil material and/or the solar cell interconnector in solar power, aircraft or space applications. The high electrical conductive, high temperature stable foil material includes an aluminum alloy that has at least two elements selected from the group of scandium (Sc), magnesium (Mg), zirconium (Zr), ytterbium (Yb) and manganese (Mn).

Abstract: A method for detecting a defect in a multi-junction solar cell is presented. The multi-junction solar cell comprises at least two vertically stacked p-n junctions. The method comprises exciting a first p-n junction of the at least two vertically stacked p-n junctions by illuminating the solar cell with excitation light in a first excitation wavelength range, detecting photoluminescence light emitted by photoluminescence of the first p-n junction, and generating a spatially resolved first photoluminescence image of the photoluminescence light emitted by the first p-n junction. Further, a computer program product and an apparatus for detecting a defect in a multi-junction solar cell are presented.

Abstract: A method for detecting a defect in a multi-junction solar cell is presented. The multi-junction solar cell comprises at least two vertically stacked p-n junctions. The method comprises exciting a first p-n junction of the at least two vertically stacked p-n junctions by illuminating the solar cell with excitation light in a first excitation wavelength range, detecting photoluminescence light emitted by photoluminescence of the first p-n junction, and generating a spatially resolved first photoluminescence image of the photoluminescence light emitted by the first p-n junction. Further, a computer program product and an apparatus for detecting a defect in a multi-junction solar cell are presented.

Abstract: A hinge assembly comprises first and second tape spring elements, wherein each of the spring elements is configured to connect a first element of a space structure to a second element of the space structure. Each of the first and the second tape spring elements is movable from a folded state into an unfolded state by releasing stored strain energy, to deploy the first and the second element of the space structure. The first tape spring element is connected to a first direct current source and configured to conduct direct current of a first polarity supplied to the first tape spring element from the first direct current source. The second tape spring element is connected to a second direct current source and configured to conduct direct current of a second polarity, opposite to the first polarity, supplied to the second tape spring element from the second direct current source.

Abstract: Satellite solar generator wing including solar panels having at least two fixed solar panels and at least one semi-fixed solar panel. The solar panels are connected to one another in order to assume an operating position and a transport position, and, in the transport position, the solar panels are retained on top of one another and the semi-fixed solar panel is arranged in a freely oscillating manner between the two fixed solar panels.

Abstract: Solar cell assembly that includes at least first and second solar cells arranged adjacent each other to form a row. First electric contact pad of first solar cell is positioned adjacent to second electric contact pad of second solar cell and second electric contact pad of first solar cell is positioned adjacent to first electric contact pad of second solar cell. Interconnectors connect each first electric contact pad of first solar cell with adjacent second electric contact pad of second solar cell and each second electric contact pad of first solar cell with adjacent first electric contact pad of second solar cell. Each interconnector is sized so that, between adjacent cells, interconnector is below first electric contact pad. Cover glass is provided on a front surface of each solar cell, and each interconnector is provided with a cover member covering a front surface of interconnector.

Abstract: Solar cell including a substrate with first p-n-junction, separating the substrate into front portion having first doping and rear portion having second doping, being located close to front surface of substrate. A front layer having a p-n-junction, separating the front layer into front portion having first doping and rear portion having second doping. At least one first electric contact provided on front side of the solar cell electrically connected to front portion of the front layer, and second electric contact provided on rear side of solar cell electrically connected to a contact point provided on front side of the solar cell. Contact point is placed on a bottom surface of a groove open to front side of the cell and extending to rear portion of substrate, and an electrical connection between the second electric contact and the contact point is provided by the rear portion.

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: Satellite solar generator wing including solar panels having at least two fixed solar panels and at least one semi-fixed solar panel. The solar panels are connected to one another in order to assume an operating position and a transport position, and, in the transport position, the solar panels are retained on top of one another and the semi-fixed solar panel is arranged in a freely oscillating manner between the two fixed solar panels.

Abstract: In a solar cell interconnector (2?,102, 202, 302, 402) with at least two layers, comprising a first, substrate layer (20, 120, 220, 320, 420) and a second, electrically conductive layer (21, 121, 221, 321, 421), the first, substrate layer (20, 120, 220, 320, 420) consists of a polymeric material and the second, electrically conductive layer (21, 121, 221, 321, 421) consists of a metal material deposited on the first, substrate layer (20, 120, 220, 320, 420).

Abstract: A high electrical conductive, high temperature stable foil material, a process for the preparation of such a high electrical conductive, high temperature stable foil material, a solar cell interconnector including the high electrical conductive, high temperature stable foil material as well as the use of the high electrical conductive, high temperature stable foil material and/or the solar cell interconnector in solar power, aircraft or space applications. The high electrical conductive, high temperature stable foil material includes an aluminium alloy that has at least two elements selected from the group of scandium (Sc), magnesium (Mg), zirconium (Zr), ytterbium (Yb) and manganese (Mn).

Abstract: A method for screening of multi-junction solar cells to be operated in a high sun intensity and high temperature (HIHT) environment. An electroluminescence image of a homogeneous pn-junction at a predefined bias current is acquired for each of the solar cells. The spatial intensity distribution in the electroluminescence image is analyzed to determine whether there are local intensity variations that possibly dissipate power in a HIHT environment. The solar cells are sorted such that solar cells having no local intensity variations in their electroluminescence image are put into a first group and solar cells having at least one local intensity variation in their electroluminescence image are put into a second group cells for further screening. The solar cells of the first group are suitable for a HIHT environment and solar cells of the second group are assumed to be potentially critical in a HIHT environment.

Abstract: A process detects defects in a semiconductor device, particularly a solar cell or solar cell arrangement, having at least one pn junction in a semiconductor layer of a semiconductor material with an indirect band junction. A voltage is applied to the at least one pn junction to operate it in the transmitting direction; and the radiation behavior of the semiconductor layer generated by the applied voltage, at least for partial ranges of the semiconductor layer, is optically detected and automatically examined for essentially one-dimensional intensity changes in order to detect mechanical defects.

Abstract: A method for screening of multi-junction solar cells to be operated in a high sun intensity and high temperature (HIHT) environment. An electroluminescence image of a homogeneous pn-junction at a predefined bias current is acquired for each of the solar cells. The spatial intensity distribution in the electroluminescence image is analyzed to determine whether there are local intensity variations that possibly dissipate power in a HIHT environment. The solar cells are sorted such that solar cells having no local intensity variations in their electroluminescence image are put into a first group and solar cells having at least one local intensity variation in their electroluminescence image are put into a second group cells for further screening. The solar cells of the first group are suitable for a HIHT environment and solar cells of the second group are assumed to be potentially critical in a HIHT environment.