Fiscal Year	2009
Division	Graduate School of Engineering & Applied Science
Department	Space Systems Academic Group
Investigator(s)	Michael, Sherif N.
Sponsor	National Reconnaissance Office (DoD)
Summary	This is a continuation of the research efforts for the design and optimization of state-of-the-art space-based solar cells. A new method for developing a realistic model of any type of solar cell using the SILVACO/ATLAS Virtual Wafer Fabrication software was developed at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). Taking into account the high cost of research and experimentation involved with the development of advanced cells, this novel methodology was developed. In our opinion, the introduction of this modeling technique to the Photovoltaic community will prove to be of great importance in aiding in the design and development of advanced solar cells. A multi-junction InGaP/GaAs/Ge solar cell was successfully modeled and was fully simulated. The simulation results were comparable to published experimental data of similar cells. Further research for the development of more accurate model that can be used for the design and optimization of advanced multi-junction cells is proposed. A major goal of this research is also to bridge the gap between current state of the art manufactured cells at 30% efficiency, and the theoretical limit of more than 40%. Further research in optimizing solar cells output power for high temperature and/or radiation environment realistic space operations is proposed.
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Publications	Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal
Data	Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal