Characterization of solar array's cells to substrate bonding interface

Standard space solar arrays consist of solar cells protected by coverglass, glued individually on rigid substrate. The solar cells / substrate bonding interface quality is crucial since trapped air bubbles at this interface can cause strong cell damages once under vacuum. In this study, we show that transient electroluminescence can be used as a fast and nondestructive characterization tool to map the solar cells rear-side gluing interface defects.