Radiation Induced Noise Level in Solar Cells

Abstract

One of main characteristics of all detectors is energy resolution which primarily depends on noise. Negative influence of noise on the detector functioning is in widening of the spectral line of the impulse signal and raising the detection threshold, and that is main limiting factor for detector functioning. That is the reason why lowering noise level is very important precondition for obtaining a good quality detectors, so investigation of physical basis of different types of noise is necessary for their optimization. It could be said that regardless of the detector quality, noise is present in all detectors and it depends on fundamental physical processes during fabrication and operation of these devices. The most common source of noise that is connected to the hostile working conditions is radiation. During the interaction with the material, radiation could deposit large amount of energy that could induce various effects. Due to their wide range of application, solar cells are exposed to various kinds of radiation in working environment. From the technological point of view it is very important to establish changes in output characteristics of the device (current, voltage, and efficiency) induced by the radiation that affect their operation. The aim of this paper is to investigate increased noise level in solar cells due to radiation in order to facilitate the production of more reliable devices.