An examination of a RTVP (radioisotopic thermophotovoltaic) conceptual design has shown a high potential for power densities well above those achievable with radioisotopic thermoelectric generator (RTG) systems. An efficiency of 14.4 percent and system specific power of 9.25 watts/kg were predicted for a system with sixteen GPHS (general purpose heat source) sources operating at 1100 C. The models also showed a 500 watt system power by the strontium-90 isotope at 1200 C at an efficiency of 17.0 percent and a system specific power of 11.8 watts/kg. The key to this level of performance is a high-quality photovoltaic cell with narrow bandgap and a reflective rear contact. Recent work at Boeing on GaSb cells and transparent back GaAs cells indicate that such a cell is well within reach

Day, A. C.

Horne, W. E.

Morgan, M. D.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

N91-19210
Radioisotope Thermal Photovoltaic Application
of the GaSb Solar Cell
M. D. Morgan, W. E. Horne and A. C. Day
Boeing Aerospace and Electronics
Seattle, WA
Introduction
Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems have been studied by numerous investigators
in the past, due to the possibility of high efficiencies on the order of 30% [refs. 2,3].
In a TPV system solar cells are exposed to the radiant spectrum of an incandescent
emitter rather than the solar spectrum. The emitter temperature is chosen so that
the peak of its blackbody emission spectrum is close to the optimum wavelength for
conversion by the cells, generally near the band edge. Thus, the energy return per
absorbed photon may be a factor of two or more greater than it would be for the
same cell exposed to the solar spectrum.
The TPV system of ref. 2 consisted of a optical concentrator which focused sun-
light on the absorber/emitter, the absorber/emitter which was essentially a blackbody
radiator heated by the sun, a reflective cavity used to recycle the unused portion of the
radiated blackbody spectrum and silicon solar cells. Due to the nature of the band-
gap of silicon, the absorber/emitter had to be maintained at a temperature of 2000
K to 2300 K for high efficiency. The cavity was designed to return energy of a longer
wavelength than the band-gap (>1.1 #m for silicon) back to the absorber/emitter
to help maintain its equilibrium temperature. The cell, in effect, acted as an optical
notch filter absorbing energy from the emitted blackbody spectrum only in that wave-
length region where photovoltaic conversion is most efficient. The efficiency of the
cell to that portion of the spectrum of wavelength shorter than 1.1 /a then becomes
the upper limit of the STPV converter and theory shows that such efficiency can
exceed 50 percent [ref. 3]. The study of this system included prototype fabrication
and testing. A demonstrated overall efficiency of 13% was achieved using off-the-shelf
silicon cells which confirmed the viability of the TPV concept.
Several persistent design challenges arise in attempting to make TPV systems
practical. One of these is the necessity of recovering the long wavelength, sub-bandgap
energy, usually by cell back-surface reflection. Another arises from temperature lim-
itations on the radiant emitter. Temperatures in excess of 1500 C are needed for
efficient operation with silicon cells, which may lead to cavity contamination or be
hard to attain with practical heating systems, including solar. Significant progress
has been made in some areas, particularly on IR transparent silicon cell technology.
However, advances in competing conversion approaches such as tandem cells have
reduced the relative advantages of solar-heated TPV.
349
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If one looks beyond solar heated systems the potential for TPV power is still
strong. Many applications now being served by radioisotope thermoelectric gener-
ators (RTGs) could be better served with solar cells in place of tile thermoelectric
elements. These include space power applications in which solar panels are unattrac-
tive, including missions to tile outer planets, Mars rovers, high radiation orbits, and
missions in which array pointing torques may disrupt other spacecraft activities. This
paper will explore the possibi]ities for radioisotope TPV, or RTPV power.
One development which may help to make RTPV power tile system of choice
for such missions has come directly out of the tandem cell effort. This is the GaSb
cell as developed at Boeing for use in its GaAs/GaSb tandem cell [ref. 1]. Recent
measurements carried out at Sandia laboratories have established AM1.5 efficiency
of 37% for stacked cells under concentration. The GaSb cell itself converts only 8%
under an AM0 spectrum, but its voltage, fill factor, and quantum efficiency are such
that it is an excellent converter of energy near its 1.7 #m band edge. The efficiency of
GaSb cells to wavelengths of 1.5 to 1.6 tim is now approximately 35%. By contrast,
RTG systems have only recently exceeded efficiencies of 7% and do not appear likely
to go much higher. The next section will discuss the expected efficiency for a RTPV
conversion cavity which could be constructed with minimal adaptations to the existing
OaSb cell.
Performance Analysis
GaSb Cell Requirements
Tile sub-bandgap reflectance of a GaSb cell is determined by free-carrier absorp-
tion in the bulk as well as by the reflectivity of the rear contact metal [ref. 4]. The
substrates now being used are doped to 2.5 x 1017. This is a relatively low doping,
but not so low as to make carrier absorption negligible. A cell with lower doping
could probably be made successfully. However, the existing substrate material was
assumed in making performance estimates. The measured transmission of a wafer
0.28 mm thick is shown in figure 1. The overall transmittance is limited by the air
interfaces at fi'ont and back and the high index of refraction of the GaSb. IIowever,
the curve indicates near theoretical transmittance near the bandgap with free carrier
absorption increasing as the wavelength increases. The data are consistent with an
absorption coefficient of 5 cm -1 at 8 #m and a cubic dependence on wavelength. This
is very similar to values determined elsewhere for GaAs. A sub-bandgap reflectivity
of 0.95 should be achievable with a suitable metal contact on rear-polished wafers.
The net cell reflectance expected is shown in figure 2, with a 1100 C blackbody also
shown for reference.
Another important feature of the GaSb cell for this application is its spectral
response. Figure 3 shows the normalized spectral response of this cell as compared
with the normalized blackbody spectrum at 1100 C. As the operating temperature
350
increases the effeciency of the system increases as well. However, there always exists
the tradeoff between optimum theoretical performance and the reality of having to
maintain an emitter at high temperatures.
Configuration
In the first configuration discussed, the PuO 2 General Purpose tteat Source
(GPHS) is used as a source of power. The heat source is encased in graphite and
iridium, intended to withstand large impact forces without rupture even in the event
of catastrophic mission failure or reentry. The 250 W GPHS modules were developed
under a multiyear program managed by the Department of Energy. The configuration
is based largely on the design of an RTG generator developed for Mars Rover [ref. 7].
The dimensions of a 250 W unit are 3.66 x 3.83 x 2.09 inches, and weigh 1.45 kg. A
proposed configuration using sixteen units in a 2 x 2 x 4 stack is shown in figure 4.
The emitter temperature depends on a number of factors, including power output
of the isotope, surface to volume ratio of the module stack, and power recycling via
solar cells and other surfaces. For a system with electrical output of 573 watts it
was found that the cells should cover approximately 30% of the emitter surface to
maintain the emitter temperature in the 2 x 2 x 4 configuration. Other surfaces are
covered with a multilayer reflective insulation such as Mo/quartz, with a net heat
reflectance of 0.98.
There are other isotopes that have suitable characteristics for this application. A
listing of these nuclides with some of their properties is shown in table 1. The two
candidates that are the most suitable are Curium-244 (Cm-244) and Strontium-90
(Sr-90). And while Actinium-227 and Uranium 232 may be more desirable in their
characteristics, the availability of these isotopes appear to be severely limited.
When applying any of the these isotopes to the model, we will attempt to design
for a slightly higher emitter temperature. This is because as emitter temperature
is increased the efficiency of the system is increased as well. It is found that by
increasing the temperature by 9% (from 1100 C to 1200 C) the eNciency is increased
by 18e_. A schematic of the system utilizing a Sr-90 disk source is shown in figure
5. The dimensions of this system is based on a 500 watts electrical output. As with
the GPHS configuration, this features 30% cell coverage with the remaining area
a multilayer reflective insulation to provide 98% reflectance of non-absorbed energy
back to the emitter. The heat source is 26 cm in diameter and 2.5 cm thick. Terrestia]
cladding for Sr-90 has been a super alloy of nickel, Hastelloy [ref. 5]. However, for
space qualification, materials that will be able to sustain catastrophic faihlre are
required.
Another configuration of interest would be utilized by microspacecraft. These
craft would weigh less than 5 kg, meeting mission goals through multiple, frequent
launches as opposed to the current approach of highly reliable, component redundant,
351
singlespacecraft. The power needsof the microspacecraftwould be met by a small
RTPV systelnemployinga higherspecificpowerisotope. This conformation issimilar
in nature to the GPtIS form but on a smaller scale. The total electrical power
requirementover 5 yearswould be about 5 watts [ref. 6]. The heat sourcewould be
a cylindrical pellet 1.5cm in diameter and 1.0cm thick of Cm-244.
On the negativeside of the last two approachs,the useof a new isotopic heat
sourcewould require spacequalification. This meansa substantial expenditure of
time, effort and money. And while someof the groundwork hasalreadybeencovered,
a programmuch like that which went into the GPHS qualification would beexpected.
Performance Predictions
A computermodelof the GaSbTPV conversioncavity wascreatedto test various
assumptions regarding cell requirements, efficiency vs. emitter temperature, and
system power to weight ratios. The calculation divides the radiant energy spectrum
into bins by wavenumber, in intervals of 100 cm -1 (approximately 0.03 #m near
the band edge). Quantities which are spectrally dependent include cell absorption
coefficient based on a free carrier absorption model, emissivity of the radiant emitter,
and cell response. For all calculations reported here the emissivity was chosen as 0.85.
Selective emitters could also be useful but were not considered here. For the cell, \;oc
= 0.465 V (as measured at :300 K and 44 suns), fill factor = 0.77, and quantum
efficiency = 0.90.
Efficiency as a function of emitter temperature is shown in figure 6 for the system
as described above. At any temperature above 850 C the RTPV appears to outper-
form an RTG system in efficiency; if the overall system has comparable weight, the
RTPV should therefore have a substantially higher power density. Discussions with
DOE personnel indicate that the GPHS modules should be able to operate as hot
as 1100 C without damage to the iridium case. At this temperature the efficiency
calculated is 14.4% and the electrical output is 573 watts for sixteen heat sources in
a 2 x 2 x 4 stack. The total GPHS weight is 23.2 kg. Calculations were also made
for a 1 x 15 stack. This required a lower cell coverage factor to maintain the emitter
teml)erature, about 18%. The resulting efficiency drops to 12.4%, and the output
power to 458 watts.
The close relation of the system efficiency with emitter temperature relates to the
overlap between the blackbody spectrum and the spectral response of the the cell (See
also figure 3). If a heat source other than the GPHS is warrented and higher operating
temperatures are possible, significant gains could be achieved. Table 2 outlines the
performance of a Sr-90 source and a Cm-244 source and allows a comparison between
these systems and the GPItS system. Important points are the specific power of each
system and the requirements for a 500 watt output system. The high specific power
of Cm-244 gives the capability for nmch smaller overall systems.
352
Systemweights can be estimated by simple analogy with the Mars Rover RTG
study carried out by Fairchild [ref. 7]. In that study a 1 x 18stackgavean electrical
output of 280 W BOM. The systemweight was58.67kg and the specificpower was
4.77watts/kg. The weight is a factor of 2.25higher than the GPttS weight alone. A
similar configuration wasassumedfor this study except that thermoelectric elements
are replacedby cells (lighter weight) and the thermal control systemmust be made
considerablyheavier. Otherwise, weights for the canister, insulation, housing, and
structural supports shouldbe nearly identical.
In the Mars Roverdesignthe coolingfins operateat about 550 K and the thermal
control system contributes 4.7% of the system mass. Modeling of the temperature
behavior of the GaSbRTPV predicts that the output will drop by 0.53%per degree
near 300 K. The thermal control fins to maintain an RTPV at .300to 350 K are likely
to be larger, perhapsby as much as a factor of five. Including this penalty in our
RTPV weight estimate results in a system massof 61.9 kg and a power to weight
ratio of 9.25watts/kgfor the 2 x 2 x 4 stack configuration. A 1 x 15 stack leads to
a weight estimate of 58.0 kg and specific power of 7.90 watts/kg. Either of these
power densities is significantly higher than the 4.74 watts/kg now obtainable with
thermoelectric generators.
After applying the 500 watt Sr-90 configuration to our model efficiencies and total
system power and weights were predicted. The St-90 heat source is modeled as a disk
of material with a total isotope mass of 6.37 kg. A total power output was modeled
at 487 watts at a 17% efficiency and 12.7 watts/kg. However, this system carries with
it a heavy radiation dose which is discussed below.
The total mass of the Cm-244 micro-satellite RTPV system is predicted at 100
grains with a electrical output of 6 watts. The small size of the system necessitates
the use of more cells per unit area due to the size restriction of the cells themselves;
consequently, cell coverage is modeled at 80%. The down side of this is that it will
reduce the amount of energy returned to the emitter thus requiring more isotope to
maintain the desired temperature, tIowever, by increasing the cell area, the efficiency
of the system is boosted to ahnost 20_){ at 1200 C.
Source Radiation
Radiation doses are of concern both for material handling by personnel and for
long-term degradation of the cells. Personnel protection from gamma doses will in-
volve the same precautions which have been established for RTG missions using the
GPItS sources. In addition, both of the alternate isotope candidates have radiation
concerns. The Sr-90 material has a high associated gamma dose due to bremsstrahmg
radiation of the emitted/3 particles. And while this is not expected to be a problem
with the cells, there is a real concern associated wth material handling by personnel.
The gamma dose is ,_1000 R/hr. at t meter from lhe source. This value depends
strongly on the Z-number of the isotope cladding material.
353
Solar cells, however, are known to degrade in neutron environments due to reduced
minority carrier lifetimes. Plutonium fuel releases approximately 6000 n/gm-sec at
an energy of 1.6 MeV. An RTPV with a 468 watt output requires sixteen modules
with 9.54 kg of plutonium oxide, so over a ten year period 1.8 x 1016 neutrons would
be released. The cells in the system modeled cover 485 cm 2, which is 30% of the
total solid angle of emission. The neutron fluence over ten years is then 1.1 x 1013
n/cm 2. In addition, the Cm-244, while having a low gamma component, has high
neutron emission. The neutron emission, due to its spontaneous fission decay, is
approximately 2.73 x 105 n/gm-sec. This is about 45 times more neutrons than the
PuO2 emits. The total ten year neutron fluence from 500 watt system with a Cm-244
source is 5.16 x 10 la. Data are not available for neutrons in GaSb, but GaAs test
results have shown a power loss of about 15% after exposure to 1 x 1013 n/cm 2 at
1 MeV. Both GaSb and GaAs are direct bandgap materials with short absorption
lengths, hence, their response to neutrons should be similar. Therefore, it appears
that neutron degradation will be a concern but a manageable one.
The computer modeling discussed here is only the first step in tile development
of a RTPV power system and we look forward to the many technical challanges that
must be hurdled prior to the first working protype.
Conclusions
An examination of an RTPV conceptual design has shown a high potential for
power densities well above those achievable with RTG systems. An efficiency of
14.4% and system specific power of 9.25 watts/kg were predicted for a system with
sixteen GPHS sources operating at 1100 C. The model also showed a 500 watt system
power by the strontium-90 isotope at 1200 C at an efficiency of 17.0% and a system
specific power of 11.8 watts/kg. The key to this level of performance is a high-quality
photovoltaic cell with narrow bandgap and a reflective rear contact. Recent work at
Boeing on GaSb cells and transparent back GaAs cells indicates that such a cell is
well within reach.
354
References
1.] L. Fraas, J. Avery, V. Sundaram, T. Davenport, and M. ONeill, to be
published in IEEE Aerospace and Electronics Systems, November 1989.
2.] R.M. Swanson and R.N. Bracewell, EPRI ER-478 Progress Report, Research
Project 790-1 (1977).
3.] W.E. Horne and A.C. Day, Proceedings of ITth Intersociety Energy Conver-
sion Engineering Conference, 119 (1982).
4.] J. I. Pankove, Optical Processes in Semiconductors, 67, Dover Publications,
NY. (1971).
5.] J.R. Devore, K.W. Haft and J.A. Tompkins, Proceedings of the American
Chemical Society, 1374 (1986).
6.] A. Chmielewski, Proceedings of the 24th Intersocietg Energy Conversion
Engineering Conference, 715 (1989).
7.] A. Schock, T. Or and E. Skrabek, Proceedings of the 2_th Intersociety Energy
Conversion Engineering Co@fence, 2693 (1989).
355
Isotope
Strontium-90
Curium-244
Uranium-232
Actinium-227
Table 1:
Half-life (yr) Compound Melting
Temp. (K)
Listing of suitable radioisotopes for the RTPV application.
Watts/gin
SrO
Cm203
U02
Ac203
27O0
24OO
3100
28
18
72
22
0.453
2.35
4.22
12.7
Table 2: A comparison of RTPV operating characteristics with different
radionuclide source material.
Isotope
and/or
Configuration
GPHS (lx15)
GPHS (2x2x4)
Sr-90
Sr-90
Cm-244
Cm-244
RTG
Operating
Temperature
(C)
1100
1100
1200
1200
1200
1000
Efficiency
12.4
14.4
17.0
17.0
17.0
19.9
7.42
Output Power
(watts)
458
573
487
49
413
6
278
Mass (kg)
58
61.9
41.2
3.85
7.56
0.10
58.6
Watts/kg
7.90
9.25
11.8
12.7
54.6
60.0
4.74
356
lO.O
2. O0 NAY_.._EIH
:i_ 0.8
! ,Oio.... . ,. "
_.o i_. 0 I 2 3 4 5 6
Figure 1: Transmission through a GaSb
wafer doped to 2.5 x 1017/cm 3.
Wavelength (microns)
Figure 2: Predicted reflectance of GaSb
cell with reflective rear contact. The
emission spectrum of a 1100 C blackbody
is included for reference.
@
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
-a- GaSb Spectral response
-_ Blackbody Spectrum
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Wavelength (mic_rons)
Figure 3 Normalized spectral response of the Boeing GaSb cell and a
normalized 1100 C blackbody spectrum.
357
GaSb
Cells
StructuralSupportsandInsulation
Figure 4. Configuration of an RTPV
generator, based on use of GPHS source
modules.
Sr-90HeatSource
(26cmdiadisk)
w/cladding
-
.i:,!i_:!i!!_ii!i_.`.._isi.i_4:_i_i_::._i_i_:i_i_:,i:_i_i{_i_!_}i_!`1_!_i_{s_i_!i!::_::_i_i_::_i_:,_::_i_}::_i_!i;`:!i..`.:ii_i.': 4,'_i_i i.. si!:,_i_i_i_i_i_
Disk
Support
_ _ ----I sulatio
Heat Sinks
Figure 5: Schematic of a cylindrical 500
watt Sr-90 RTPV system.
0.25
-_- 2x2x4 Stack
4- lx15 Stack
Figure 6:
0.05
RTG Operating Point
0.00
500 700 900 1100 1300 1500 1700
Emitter Temperature (C)
Efficiency of system which utilizes the GPHS verses temperature.
358


Radioisotope thermal photovoltaic application of the GaSb solar cell

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