Abstract

Solar cells have traditionally been used for direct sunlight to energy conversion, but there has been relatively little investigation into their use as a low data rate optical detector. This paper presents an experimental procedure used to determine the ac model of a specific solar cell. A lumped circuit model and governing equations are developed. Open circuit responses to pulses are used to determine values for the internal capacitances as a function of background illumination. Possible problems encountered with noise generation are also reviewed.

© 1978 Optical Society of America

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