Le rôle et l'application expérimentale des lampes au xénon dans les simulateurs solaires

Xenon lamps, as the core component of solar simulators, are indispensable tools in modern scientific research and industry. They can “reproduce” natural sunlight in the laboratory and precisely control it, allowing for in-depth study of the interaction between light and matter. This drives the development of numerous cutting-edge fields, from new energy to space exploration.

Xenon Lamps: The Core Tool for Simulating Solar Spectra

The fundamental reason xenon lamps are the preferred light source for solar simulators lies in their continuous spectrum and similarity to the solar spectrum. When xenon gas discharges in a high-pressure electric arc, it emits a continuous spectrum covering the ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared bands, which closely matches the spectral distribution of sunlight. To achieve higher simulation accuracy, solar simulators are typically equipped with complex optical systems, including:

• Filters: Used to precisely trim the raw spectrum of the xenon lamp, making it highly consistent with international standards (such as AM1.5G, the Air Mass 1.5 Global standard spectrum). This ensures that the simulated sunlight at the Earth’s surface has spectral components almost identical to real conditions.
• Optical shaping devices: Such as lenses and mirrors, used to focus or diffuse the light beam, ensuring highly uniform irradiance in the target test area. This uniformity is crucial for measuring the overall performance of optoelectronic devices.
• Light intensity control systems: Achieve precise control over irradiance (light intensity) by adjusting the xenon lamp’s power or using apertures, simulating conditions under different climates or solar intensities.

This precise control capability gives xenon lamp solar simulators unparalleled advantages:

• High reproducibility and comparability: Every experiment can be conducted under identical and controlled lighting conditions, ensuring the accuracy of experimental results and the comparability of data between different research institutions. This is crucial for establishing industry standards and facilitating international cooperation.
• Accelerated testing capability: By increasing the irradiance of the simulated light, the aging process of materials that would take years or even decades in real outdoor environments can be simulated within weeks or months, significantly shortening the development and verification cycles of new materials and products.
• Indoor controlled environment: Avoids the influence of uncontrollable factors such as outdoor weather changes and seasonal variations on experimental results, allowing researchers to focus more on the impact of light itself on the sample.

Wide Experimental Applications of Xenon Lamp Solar Simulators

Xenon lamp solar simulators play an irreplaceable role in several key areas, serving as a powerful engine for technological progress.

1. New Energy Photovoltaic (PV) Device Testing and Characterization

Photovoltaic (PV) technology is at the heart of the current global energy transition. Xenon lamp solar simulators are essential tools in the research, development, and production of PV cells and modules:

• PV cell efficiency characterization: Measures the J-V (current-voltage) characteristic curves of various solar cells (e.g., crystalline silicon, thin-film, perovskite, organic cells) to evaluate their open-circuit voltage (Voc​), short-circuit current (Isc​), maximum power point (Pmax​), and fill factor (FF), thereby accurately calculating the cell’s photoelectric conversion efficiency.
• Quantum efficiency (EQE/IQE) analysis: Measures the cell’s response capability under different wavelengths of light, helping to gain a deeper understanding of the cell’s light absorption and charge transport mechanisms, providing a basis for material and device structure optimization.
• Long-term stability and degradation studies: Simulates the effect of long-term light exposure on the performance of PV devices, evaluating their lifespan and reliability, especially for new materials like perovskites, whose stability under high-temperature, high-humidity, and light exposure is a research hotspot.
• PV module certification testing: Solar simulators conforming to international standards such as IEC and ASTM are mandatory certification equipment for PV module products entering the market, ensuring products meet design performance and safety standards.

2. Material Aging and Weatherability Research

The durability of materials under sunlight is a key factor determining their application prospects. Xenon lamp solar simulators provide a powerful research platform for material scientists:

• Accelerated aging and weatherability testing: Widely used in fields such as coatings, plastics, rubber, textiles, building materials, and automotive interior/exterior components. By simulating the synergistic effects of environmental factors such as sunlight, temperature, and humidity, these tests accelerate the evaluation of material aging phenomena like color changes, cracking, chalking, and mechanical property degradation. This is crucial for developing new high-weatherability materials.
• Sunscreen product efficacy evaluation: Used to accurately determine the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) and UVA protection level (PA) of sunscreens, sun-protective clothing, and other products, ensuring they meet consumer demands and regulatory requirements.
• Photochromic material research: Studies the mechanism of color or optical property changes in materials under light, such as smart windows and optical sensors.
• Biodegradation research: Evaluates the effect of light exposure on the degradation process of biodegradable materials.

3. Space Environment Simulation

In the vast universe, spacecraft and satellites face extreme solar radiation environments. Xenon lamp solar simulators are the unsung heroes of space exploration:

• Spacecraft material radiation resistance testing: Simulates strong UV, visible, and infrared radiation in space to test the performance degradation of spacecraft exterior materials, coatings, and solar panels under long-term space exposure, ensuring their reliability in extreme conditions.
• Thermal control system validation: Evaluates the operational efficiency of spacecraft thermal control systems (e.g., radiators, heat pipes) under different heat flux conditions by simulating solar incidence angles and intensities.
• Mars/Moon environment simulation: Combines vacuum and low/high-temperature systems to create a more comprehensive lunar or Martian surface environment, testing the operational performance of landers and rovers under extreme temperature differences and radiation, providing critical data for deep space exploration missions.

4. Photocatalysis and Photochemistry Research

Xenon lamp solar simulators also play an important role in environmental governance and the development of new catalysts:

• Photocatalytic degradation of pollutants: Simulates solar light-driven photocatalytic reactions to study the efficiency and mechanism of new photocatalysts (e.g., TiO2​, g-C3​N4​) in degrading organic pollutants and heavy metal ions in water or air.
• Photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production: Simulates solar energy-driven photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production, exploring efficient and sustainable hydrogen production technologies, providing solutions for future energy systems.
• Atmospheric photochemistry research: Simulates the photochemical transformation processes of aerosols and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the atmosphere under sunlight, helping to understand and predict the formation and evolution of air pollution.

5. Plant Growth and Agricultural Research

In biological and agricultural research, xenon lamp solar simulators also have their unique applications:

• Plant photobiology research: Simulates the effects of different light intensities and spectra on plant growth, photosynthetic efficiency, morphological development, flowering and fruiting, and the synthesis of secondary metabolites, providing a scientific basis for optimizing agricultural production conditions.
• Microbial photoresponse research: Studies the growth, metabolism, and product synthesis of microorganisms (e.g., algae) under different light conditions, such as for biofuel production.

Conclusion

Driven by technological advancements, xenon lamp solar simulators are developing towards higher precision, wider spectral ranges, larger illumination areas, and more intelligent control. In the future, they will continue to play an irreplaceable experimental role in promoting clean energy, high-performance materials, space exploration, and environmental sustainable development, providing continuous experimental support for humanity to explore the mysteries of light and harness its power.

About Kemi

Anhui Kemi Instrument Co., Ltd., founded in 2014, is a high-tech enterprise specializing in the R&D and manufacturing of scientific research instruments. With a 10,000-square-meter facility, the company serves over 20,000 research institutions globally, including top universities in China. Kemi Instrument provides customized, high-quality equipment and solutions, collaborating with leading suppliers and universities. The company aims to become a global leader in scientific research instrumentation.