From: kfl@KeithLynch.net   
      
   Geoffrey A. Landis  wrote:   
   > The answer depends significantly on the technology.  Silicon cells   
   > lose about 0.45% of their power per degree C; GaAs cells about 0.35,   
   > and advanced cells (e.g., triple junction) something like 0.25% per   
   > degree C.  As you concentrate light on them, you get them hot, and   
   > they work less well.   
      
   Why not use *vaccum* cells?  Light hits the cathode, and knocks   
   electrons out of it with enough momentum to reach the anode against a   
   moderate voltage gradient.  Should work at any temperature, so long as   
   the components aren't white hot.   
      
   Perhaps the best "material" for space manufacture is the stuff there's   
   no shortage of in space -- vacuum.   
   --   
   Keith F. Lynch - http://keithlynch.net/   
   Please see http://keithlynch.net/email.html before emailing me.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)