Progress in Research on Laser Transmission Systems, Atmospheric Influence on Laser Transmission, and Laser Photovoltaics in Laser Space Solar Power System

Abstract

Recent progress in research on Laser Space Solar Power Systems (L-SSPS) is described. In the laser transmission system, safe connection between transmitter and receiver is of primary focus. Development and experimental demonstration of a safe connection in a sub-kilometer terrestrial transmission site is presented based on beacon tracking technology. Atmospheric influences on laser transmission for the L-SSPS are studied. Atmospheric transmittance is derived from meteorological data of solar irradiation in Japan. Using the analyzed data, the site diversity effect is described. In addition, a prediction model using a simulation developed at Gifu University based on a 5th generation Mesoscale Model is presented. A transmittance distribution map of the Japan region for the laser wavelength of interest is made for the first time from the model. In laser photovoltaics, optical properties and photovoltaic conversion efficiency of CPV-Si and InGaAs cells under 1.07 m laser irradiation are measured and discussed for efficient power conversion from laser light to electricity.