Photovoltaic module hot-spot endurance tests performed at CEC JRC Ispra showed that the temperature distributions in cells subjected to reverse bias heating were non-uniform and reproducible. An investigation of the physical processes causing non-uniform power dissipation in reverse biased silicon solar cells, using IR imaging, scanning electron microscopy, and electrical measurements, is prese...

We shortly describe recent progress in photon detectors combining bi-alkali photocathodes and cascaded patterned gas-avalanche electron multipliers. It permitted the development and the first feasibility demonstration of high-gain gaseous photomultipliers sensitive in the visible spectral range, operated in DC mode with single-photon sensitivity.

Our extensive measurements of damage thresholds for fused silica and several fluorides (LiF, CaF, MgF and BaF) at 1053 and 526 nm for pulse durations, 2, ranging from 275 fs to 1 ns are reported elsewhere at this meeting. A theoretical model based on electron production via multiphoton ionization, Joule heating, and collisional (avalanche) ionization is in good agreement with experimental results.

Avalanche photodiodes (APDs) are the preferred photodetectors for direct-detection, high data-rate long-haul optical telecommunications. APDs can detect low-level optical signals due to their internal amplification of the photon-generated electrical current, which is attributable to the avalanche of electron and hole impact ionizations. Despite recent advances in APDs aimed at reducing the aver...

Electron avalanching in liquid argon is being studied as a function of voltage, pressure, radiation intensity, and the concentrations of certain additives, especially xenon. The avalanches produced in an intense electric field at the tip of a tungsten needle are initiated by ionization from a movable americium (Am) gamma-ray source. Photons from xenon excimers are detected as photomultiplier si...

Electric discharge excimer lasers are sustained in multi-atmosphere attaching gas mixtures that are typically preionized to enable a reproducible, uniform glow, which maximizes optical quality and gain. This preionization is often accomplished using UV light produced by a corona discharge within the plasma cavity. To quantify the relationship between corona discharge properties and those of the...

The Thick Gas Electron Multiplier (THGEM) is a robust high-gain gas-avalanche electron multiplier – building block of variety radiation detectors. It can be manufactured economically by standard printed-circuit drilling and etching technology. We present detailed review the THGEM its derivatives. focus on physics phenomena that govern their operation performances under different conditions. Tec...