Radiometric Characterization of a New Photovoltaic Cell Unit for Powering Modulating Retroreflectors

摘要

We describe the experimental procedures and results of a detailed radiometric characterization of a new photovoltaic (PV) wafer unit intended for powering the Multiple Quantum Well (MQW) Modulating Retroreflector (MRR) using natural sunlight and/or system laser light as energy input, to enable autonomous operation of free-space optical data link using the MQW-MRR. Our initial measurements show that the PV wafer unit has an average power conversion efficiency of 7% to 8% over the entire visible-to-IR wavelength range from 200 nm to 3500 nm, and a conversion efficiency around 40% at the 1550 nm laser frequency. Comparisons of the different methods for radiometric characterization of the PV wafer unit are also given.