Spectral study and classification of worldwide locations considering several multijunction solar cell technologies

Multi‐junction solar cells are widely used in high‐concentration photovoltaic systems (HCPV) attaining the highest efficiencies in photovoltaic energy generation. This technology is more dependent on the spectral variations of the impinging Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) than conventional photovoltaics based on silicon solar cells and consequently demands a deeper knowledge of the solar resource characteristics. This article explores the capabilities of spectral indexes, namely, spectral matching ratios (SMR), to spectrally characterize the annual irradiation reaching a particular location on the Earth and to provide the necessary information for the spectral optimization of a MJ solar cell in that location as a starting point for CPV module spectral tuning. Additionally, the relationship between such indexes and the atmosphere parameters, such as the aerosol optical depth (AOD), precipitable water (PW), and air mass (AM), is discussed using radiative transfer models such as SMARTS to generate the spectrally resolved DNI. The network of ground‐based sun and sky‐scanning radiometers AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) is exploited to obtain the atmosphere parameters for a selected bunch of 34 sites worldwide. Finally, the SMR indexes are obtained for every location, and a comparative analysis is carried out for four architectures of triple junction solar cells, covering both lattice match and metamorphic technologies. The differences found among cell technologies are much less significant than among locations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization of strong fiber Bragg gratings using an applied thermal chirp and iterative algorithm

Coupling coefficients of various grating types and strengths are calculated from measurements of the complex reflectivity using an applied thermal chirp and optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR). The complex reflectivity is then utilized by a layer peeling algorithm to determine the coupling coefficient of the thermally chirped grating. A guess of the temperature profile enables the coupling coefficient of the unchirped grating to be estimated. An iterative algorithm is then used to converge on the exact coupling coefficient, employing an error minimization method applied to the reflectivity spectra. This technique removes the need for a reference grating while preserving the spatial resolution obtained with the initial OFDR measurement. Successful reconstruction of gratings with integrated |κ|L ~ 9.0 are demonstrated with a spatial resolution of less than 100 μm.     

Characterization of a high mechanical-Q fiber laser Lorentz force dc magnetometer

A magnetic field sensor is described based on coupling the field into a time varying strain in a fiber laser strain sensor, through the Lorentzian force. A conducting bridge carries an ac current and oscillates at resonance in the presence of a magnetic field. A fiber laser strain sensor attached to the ribbon measures the deflections. The quality factor is shown to be limited by air damping resulting in a measurement resolution of 704 pT/Hz(1/2)±10% at ambient pressure and 360 pT/Hz(1/2)±10% at a reduced pressure of 1700 Pa at 1 Hz and 75 mA (rms).     

Photodarkening and photobleaching in fiber optic Bragg gratings

A photobleaching effect is reported which reduces the broadband losses induced by the single-pulse writing of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs). A primary application of the optical FBG reflector is as arrays of wavelength-encoded sensing elements for detecting mechanical strain. Instrumentation is being developed to interrogate >100 point sensors along a single fiber with FBGs and detectors operating in the 790-820 nm band. In this paper, we describe broadband absorptions induced by writing single-pulse FBGs which would impose a 10 dB power penalty with as few as 40 serialized FBGs. We have reduced these photo-induced losses more than seven-fold (measured near 800 nm) using a photobleaching process which minimally affects the FBG's reflectivities. After treatment, optical losses are sufficiently low to allow the interrogation of hundreds of FBGs along a single fiber. Photodarkening and photobleaching are measured in gratings prepared by single laser pulses, and by multiple pulses with and without hydrogen loading. Parasitic loss following photobleaching is lower for single-pulse FBGs operated near 800 nm than for FBGs written with multiple pulses in hydrogen loaded fibers and operated near 1300 nm     

Deuterium Isotope Effects during RDX Combustion: Mechanistic burn rate-controlling step determination

High pressure (500 psig/3.55 MPa and 1000 psigl6.99 MPa) burn rate comparisons from the combustion of solid RDX (hexahydro- 1.3,.5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine) and perdeuterio-labeled RDX-dh cylindrical pressed pellets reveals a large kinetic deuterium isotope cffect (KDIE). This experimental KDIE confirms that chemical reaction kinetics are a significant mechanistic factor in controlling the inherent RDX burn rate and further shows the six-membered RDX hcterocycle's rate-controlling mechanistic step during com- bustion is the same as that previously reported for its larger eight-membered HMX (octahydro-l.3,5,7-tetranitro-l.3.5,7 tetrazocine) homologuc. As with HMX. This experimental KDTE approach also demonstrates a direct mechanistic relationship between RDX's higher order cornbustion regime and its ambient pressure thermochemical decomposition process.     

Early Index Growth in Germanosilicate Fiber Upon Exposure to Continuous-Wave Ultraviolet Light

In this paper, high-accuracy measurements of ultraviolet (UV)-induced refractive-index changes (plusmn3times10^-7) in germanosilicate optical fiber as a function of intensity and exposure time are presented. To examine the early growth characteristics of the fiber, samples are irradiated with 244-nm light for 100 s at relatively low intensities (0.007-2.7 W/cm²). The combined growth data is then interpolated to generate a 3-D "index growth surface" of photo-induced index. An empirically derived mathematical expression relates the index growth to the exposure time and intensity. Evidence is presented that, after exposing the fiber at one intensity, additional growth at a different intensity is dictated by the final index change of the first exposure and the intensity of the second exposure. This "compound growth rule" permits the complete calculation of induced-grating structures produced by such a complex exposure history. Using the index-growth surface and the compound-growth rule, the growth and UV erasure of a fiber Bragg grating is successfully predicted using a modified F-matrix algorithm     

Lipid composition and biosynthesis of human omental tissue

Two groups of five males each were selected for total lipid analyses of their omental tissue. One of these groups had been subjected to a severe caloric restriction and had undergone total weight reduction of about 20%. The other group served as control. Both of these groups of patients required elective surgical procedures during which it was possible to obtain small samples of omental tissue, adipose pad, and/or mesenteric tissue. Total lipid analyses were performed on all of the materials. A distinctive positional distribution of the acyl groups was maintained in the triglycerides of omental tissue for all the patients regardless of dietary state. Patients under caloric restriction showed a reduction in their total triglyceride content, a reduction in their content of unsaturated fatty acyl groups, and a relative increase in phospholipid content. The de novo lipid biosynthetic capacity of omental tissues, as determined by 1-[¹⁴C]-acetate incorporation, showed an inverse proportionality to the lipid content of the samples. Omental tissue is biosynthetically a very versatile material capable of yielding rapidly many types of fatty acids. This ability, among others, could account for the usefulness of omental tissue as a supporting base in many types of restorative surgery.     

Characterization of the spatial distribution of irradiance and spectrum in concentrating photovoltaic systems and their effect on multi‐junction solar cells

The irradiance and spectral distribution cast on the cell by a concentrating photovoltaic system, typically made up of a primary Fresnel lens and a secondary stage optical element, is dependent on many factors, and these distributions in turn influence the electrical performance of the cell. In this paper, the effect of spatial and spectral non‐uniform irradiance distribution on multi‐junction solar cell performance was analyzed using an integrated approach. Irradiance and spectral distributions were obtained by means of ray‐tracing simulation and by direct imaging at a range of cell‐to‐lens distances. At the same positions, I–V curves were measured and compared in order to evaluate non‐uniformity effects on cell performance. The procedure was applied to three different optical systems comprised a Fresnel lens with a secondary optical element consisting of either a pyramid, a dome, or a bare cell. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Noncontact measurement of optical fiber draw tension

A simple technique for measuring the tension on an optical fiber during the draw process without contacting the fiber surface is reported. It is based on detecting the resonant vibrational frequency of the fiber during draw using the position output of the fiber diameter monitor and requires no specialized circuitry. The tension, determined from the fundamental resonant frequency of the length of fiber between the neckdown region in the furnace and the coating cup, is accurate to within 1% and repeatable to <0.0005 kg     

Concentration photovoltaic optical system irradiance distribution measurements and its effect on multi‐junction solar cells

This paper proposes an indoor procedure based on charge‐coupled device camera measurements to characterize the non‐uniform light patterns produced by optical systems used in concentration photovoltaic (CPV) systems. These irradiance patterns are reproduced on CPV solar cells for their characterization at concentrated irradiances by using a concentrator cell tester and placing high‐resolution masks over the cells. Measured losses based on the masks method are compared with losses in concentrator optical systems measured by using the Helios 3198 solar simulator for CPV modules. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.