Comparison of High Energy Proton Radiation Damages on AlGaAs/GaAs and Si Solar Cells

We have developed high performance AlGaAs/GaAs solar cells with a conversion efficiency in excess of 18% and high resistance to radiation damage by high energy protons. Results on radiation hardness of AlGaAs/GaAs solar cells for 5, 10, 15, and 52 MeV proton with fluences up to 5×10 12 p/cm 2 are presented. The AlGaAs/GaAs solar cells are superior to Si solar cells for radiation damage of high energy proton capable of penetrating a coverglass.