Nuclear weapons effects testing of solar cells using the National Ignition Facility (NIF)

The response of triple junction InGaP₂/GaAs/Ge, solar cells to a simulated nuclear weapons threat environment is being analyzed and tested. A series of experiments exposing solar cells to a pulse x-ray source were conducted at the newly opened National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and the OMEGA Laser facility at the University of Rochester. The test samples were 2-cm × 2-cm solar cells mounted on solar array substrates using materials and techniques identical to flight solar arrays. The cell structural response is characterized through visual inspections for exposure-induced cracking. The cell electrical response is characterized through current vs. voltage measurements made under simulated Air Mass Zero As a result of this project, a methodology will be established through which a comprehensive analysis of the weapons response of new solar cell technologies can be performed.