Fabrication and test of an efficient photovoltaic cell for laser optical power transmission

An AlGaAs photocell designed for efficient optical-to-electrical power conversion of monochromatic radiation has been fabricated and tested. A power conversion efficiency of 59% and a fill factor of 82% were measured when the device was illuminated by a laser diode source at 826-nm wavelength. The conversion efficiency of the cell remained constant for optical powers up to 1.7 W (54 W/cm/sup 2/), which was the limit imposed by the intensity of the available laser diode source. Such a device is needed for use in applications that require optical power transmission to remote sensors or electrical systems.<
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