RECENT ADVANCES IN SILICON GERMANIUM ALLOY TECHNOLOGY AND AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PROBLEMS OF BUILDING THE MODULES FOR A RADIOISOTOPE THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR

This paper reviews the state of the art of silicon-germanium technology and assesses the problems of building thermoelectric modules in Europe, based upon silicon-germanium alloys, for use in a multihundred watt radio-isotope thermoelectric generator. The generator developed in the United States for the International Solar Polar mission has been used as a reference system. It is concluded that although the fabrication of reliable electrical contacts will present a major problem, the technology is available in Europe to build thermoelectric modules.