Thin HI-ETA/sup (R)/ space silicon solar cells with improved end-of-life performance

In this paper, the authors report on two new silicon space solar cell structures of their trademarked HI-ETA/sup (R)/ family which are designed for improved EOL (end-of-life) performance and low weight. The 2iTHI-ETA/sup (R)/3-ID thin (100-130 /spl mu/m) HI-ETA/sup (R)/ cell with integrated diode is qualified and in large volume production, its efficiency figures are 17.3% at BOL (beginning-of-life) and 12.5% at EOL (1E15 (1 MeV)e/cm/sup 2/). The locally thinned (50 /spl mu/m) cell is still under development, its mechanical structure is sound as already proven by coupon testing and now the electrical optimization work is under way. The target efficiency of this cell is 13.5% at EOL (1E15 (1 MeV)e/cm/sup 2/) and is expected to be achieved towards the end of this year.