Use of displacement damage dose in an engineering model of GaAs solar cellradiation damage

In this study we have combined a method of calculating radiation induced da mage to solar cells using Non-Ionizing Energy Loss (NIEL), with models of E ar rh orbiting radiation in arbitrary orbits, to assess the lifetime of sol ar cells. This paper provides a comparison of the NIEL technique to results from the JPL Radiation Handbook, and to actual space experimental damage r esults. In addition, we discuss ways of extending the calculation to newel solar cell materials, as well as environments outside of the Earth's orbit. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.