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Probability of large solar proton events and their effect on the efficiency of GaAs solar cells
Author(s) -
Xapsos M. A.,
Messenger S. R.,
Walters R. J.,
Summers G. P.,
Burke E. A.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
progress in photovoltaics: research and applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.286
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1099-159X
pISSN - 1062-7995
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-159x(199811/12)6:6<399::aid-pip222>3.0.co;2-d
Subject(s) - proton , geostationary orbit , solar cell , degradation (telecommunications) , solar cycle , spacecraft , event (particle physics) , solar maximum , solar cycle 22 , solar flare , photovoltaic system , environmental science , fluence , solar minimum , meteorology , physics , astronomy , computer science , astrophysics , satellite , engineering , optoelectronics , irradiation , solar wind , plasma , electrical engineering , nuclear physics , telecommunications
Using a recently updated database that includes the last four complete solar cycles, the probability of occurrence of large solar proton events has been analyzed for time periods of up to seven active solar years using extreme value statistics. Then an approach is presented for evaluating solar cell efficiency degradation caused by the large event. These results enable spacecraft designers to evaluate precisely the risk of exposure of solar arrays to large solar proton events over the course of a mission. As an example, the efficiency degradation of n/p GaAs/Ge solar cells caused by an event with a >10‐MeV fluence of 1×10 10 cm −2 is shown. This is compared to the degradation resulting from all events in the last solar cycle, and to the electron environment in geostationary orbit over the same period of time. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.