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        Spacecraft power beaming and solar cell annealing using high-energy lasers

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        Author
        Luce, Richard C., Jr.
        Date
        2002-12
        Advisor
        Michael, Sherif
        Biblarz, Oscar
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        Abstract
        Satellite lifetime is often limited by degradation of the electrical power subsystem--radiation-damaged solar arrays and failed batteries. Being able to beam power from terrestrial sites could alleviate this limitation, extending the lifetime of billions of dollars of satellite assets, as well as providing additional energy for electric propulsion that can be used for stationkeeping and orbital changes. In addition, laboratory research at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) has shown the potential to anneal damaged solar cells using lasers. This thesis decribes that research, preliminary work performed lasing a representative solar panel array, and a proposed Maui experiment to demonstrate the relevant concepts by lasing PANSAT, an NPS-built and operated spacecraft. The preliminary work done at Maui involved lasing a PANSAT silicon photovoltaic array using a 975 nm Yb:YAG source at output power levels of 7 W, 14 W and 21 W. These results matched those obtained under near-AM0 conditions atop Mount Haleakala (for the 7 W case) and extrapolated to match predicted output levels. Enough data points were collected at each power level to generate an I-V curve for the panel, identifying the open circuit voltage, short circuit current, and maximum power points. The efficiency of the panel varied from 13.1% (as expected for monochromatic light) at 7 W to 11.3% at 21 W due to uniform heating of the cells. These results represent a "ground truth" baseline from which further research can continue.
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        Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited
        URI
        http://hdl.handle.net/10945/3605
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        • 1. Thesis and Dissertation Collection, all items

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          Experimental verification of density inhomogeneity due to lasing in a gas-dynamic laser 

          Fuhs, A.E.; Biblarz, O.; Cawthra, J.K.; Campbell, J.L. (1974-02);
          As a consequence of lasing, heat, in an amount related to the quantum efficiency, is released in a gas-dynamic laser (GDL) causing density perturbations, Calculations were made to predict the density contours throughout ...
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          Investigation and operation of a carbon dioxide TEA laser 

          Bassett, William Frederick (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 1973-06);
          Lasing has been achieved at 10.6 microns using a double discharge C02 TEA configuration. The double discharge configuration utilizes three electrodes. The third, "trigger," electrode in this particular device consists ...
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          Pulsed gain measurements on CO(2) lasers. 

          Houck, Timothy Lee (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 1972-06);
          An efficient procedure for determining the operational potential of a laser system is the experimental measurement of gain. Two laser systems, a flowing CO₂-N₂-He laser and a chemical CO₂-HN₃, laser, were studied using a ...
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