Abstract:
With regard to the initial period of active existence of a spacecraft (SC), the processes of anomalous degradation of the power of InGaP/InGaAs/Ge photovoltaic cells (PVC) were experimentally studied during bench tests for the effect of geomagnetic plasma by modeling the electron component of the plasma taking into account the periodic intersection of the SC orbit with the Earth's radiation belt, including the auroral zone. Using the methods of video recording of electroluminescence and measuring dark I–V curves under bench conditions, as well as the methods of microscopy, absolute spectrometry of electroluminescence and dark I–V curves after the end of bench tests, the processes of anomalous degradation of PVC were established, occurring with the participation of technological microdefects of the surface and microbreakdowns of the cover glasses of K-208. A phenomenological impact mechanism of anomalous accelerated degradation of the power of PVC at the initial stage of the SC existence is proposed. The highest rate of anomalous power degradation is observed for solar cells with technological defects in $p$–$n$ junctions.
Keywords:solar panels of spacecraft, geomagnetic plasma, anode-initiated flashover, bulk microbreakdown of dielectric, damage to photovoltaic device.
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