Presentation Details
Materials selection and processing for In-space High-Intensity Wireless Laser Power Transmission

Manuel Peralta-Fuentes, Florencia Almonacid, Pedro Perez-Higueras, Eduardo F.Fernández.

Advances in Photovoltaic Technology (AdPVTech), CEACTEMA, University of Jaén (UJA), Jaén, Spain

Abstract


Wireless Laser Power Transmission (WLPT) is expected to revolutionize the field of power transfer in a wide range of applications and media, such as air or water. In particular, this technology offers promising advantages in space, enhancing planetary exploration missions without requiring traditional wiring. However, the materials used for photovoltaic converters and their performance in different environments, notably on the planets and satellites of the Solar System, have been barely studied. Conventional semiconductors, such as GaAs, present significant efficiency losses in the conversion of high-intensity light compared to novel wide-bandgap materials, such as SiC and InGaN. This work presents a comprehensive study of these novel semiconductors as materials for Laser Power Converters (LPCs) across the planetary atmospheres within the Solar System, studying the effects of transmittance, series resistance and source power on the WLPT efficiency. An analysis of the challenges for the fabrication and processing of these novel materials is also addressed. Overall, these findings show the suitability of wide-bandgap materials for WLPT, paving the way for reliable and enhanced power transmission in space exploration missions

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