KEYWORDS: Solar cells, Brain-machine interfaces, Collimation, Sun, Temperature metrology, Solar concentrators, Multijunction solar cells, Light sources, Xenon, Temperature sensors
Due to their limited angular acceptance, and use of spectrally sensitive multi-junction solar cells, high concentration
photovoltaic modules represent a challenging measurement task. In collaboration with Instituto de Energia Solar at the
Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, SolFocus has designed and manufactured an industrialized solar simulator for
characterization of high concentration photovoltaic modules. The simulator measures module peak conversion efficiency
and acceptance angle. The simulator uses a Xenon flash source with collimating optics to form a uniform one-sun
illumination covering sufficient area to measure two panels of 1 m2 each, along with reference measurement cells for
spectral and power normalization. The on-sun measurement uses a normal incidence pyrheliometer and temperature
sensors to provide normalization information.
This paper presents an algorithm for normalization of tests performed under factory conditions to IEC 62108 standard
operating conditions (850 W/m2 direct-normal-irradiance, 20 C ambient temperature). After normalization, tested panels
are correlated to actual on-sun performance measurements. We present descriptions of the normalizations applied to both
the factory test method and on-sun test method, and compare the results for a population of over 100 modules. As a
result of normalization and correlation methods, we conclude that the simulator predicts on-sun performance to better
than ±10%, with 99% confidence. The primary source of uncertainty is the normalization of the on-sun data. The
repeatability of the flash test is better than ±2%.
One of the major challenges for typical opto-mechanical assemblies is that they require multiple degrees of freedom with large travel (several millimeters) but very small (sub-micron) resolution. After adjustment, assemblies must be stable to a few nanometers to survive environmental and mechanical shock over a lifetime of use. Using parts with engineered mating surfaces, we have developed a low-cost and robust set of components with demonstrated sub-50-nm adjustment resolution and comparable stability after multiple environmental stress events. For this work, we have adopted -30 to +70 C temperature cycling and 10 G (15 ms) half-sine shock as our environmental qualification standards. We apply the methodologies of reliability testing learned for Telcordia qualification of passive fiber optic components to opto-mechanical components and assemblies for capital equipment instruments. Demonstration of sub-50-nm resolution and stability for our developed opto-mechanical components requires a suitable test stand, which we have developed using scanning knife-edge beam profilers and a highly-repeatable kinematic loading base with a built-in reference. We use these test results to develop system error budgets in design and manufacture based on component, assembly, and measurement tolerances. The developed opto-mechanical assemblies have been demonstrated to have sub-50 nm stability in laboratory and field tests.
A laser alignment aperture for automation of laser beam alignment has been realized. The expected system application is to define a straight line by placing apertures integrated with position sensitive photodiodes in the beam path. Any deviation of the incident laser beam from the predetermined path causes it to strike one of the four photodiode quadrants around one of the apertures. The photocurrent signal produced at one of the four detector quadrants, when compared to the photocurrents from the other quadrants provides a measurement of the beam position. Using standard silicon microfabrication and micromachining processes, apertures from 0.5 to 1.3 mm diameter have been fabricated.
A practical self-aligning pinhole (SAP) system, capable of actively aligning a pinhole to an incident optical beam, has been demonstrated. The enabling technology for the SAP is a silicon micromachined pinhole (SiMP). The SiMP is an example of a simple optical element fabricated from silicon in order to take advantage of both the mechanical structure allowed by micromachining technology and the electrical structures allowed by semiconductor technology. To complete the transformation from an enabling technology to a working system, development was necessary in packaging, mechanical mounting and operation, and algorithms.
By fabricating a discrete cell photodiode with multiple edge contacts, and allowing for operation under two different current sensing schemes, a diode which operates optionally as either a continuous or discrete cell position sensitive photodetector has been realized. Inclusion of on-chip CMOS switching circuitry enables a user of such a photodetector to change its operating mode by the use of a single digital input line. Experimental results of the dual mode photodiode with switching circuitry are presented in this paper.
This paper examines issues in the packaging of silicon-micromachined devices. Standard microelectonics packaging seeks to physically isolate the integrated circuits from harmful elements in the environment, to provide mechanical strength for the die, to facilitate thermal dissipation, and to sustain electrical communication with outside circuits. However, due to the many novel applications of MEMS devices, new sets of packaging requirements need to be met and further research on packaging technology to meet non-traditional requirements are needed.
In this paper we describe a prototype self-aligning spatial filter (SASF). We present studies of the design and the results of fabrication prior to the final processing step. The SASF consists of an electrostatically actuated platform on which an optical spatial filter (pinhole) has been fabricated. The pinhole is in the center of a four quadrant split-cell photodetector, which serves as the alignment gauge for the system. When a focused beam at the pinhole is aligned, all four detectors sense the same optical current. In future devices, this information from the photodetectors will be fed back to the electrostatic actuation system to push the platform and align the beam. The electrostatic actuators are formed from the parallel walls of vertical side- wall capacitors built between the silicon bulk and the movable platform. Electrical signal paths in the integrated system used diffused interconnects, while the photodetectors are simply reverse-biased p+n diodes. Fabrication techniques are similar to surface micromachining, except that a wafer bonding step is used to create single crystal structures.
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