Browsing by Author "Engelbrecht, N.E."

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    Evaluation of cosmic-ray damage and doses on hybrid and inorganic halide lead perovskites in space environment
    (Elsevier, 2026-02-20) Omojola, Joseph; Engelbrecht, N.E.; Oryema, Bosco; Strauss, R.D.
    This study evaluates the radiation damage and doses of hybrid (CH3NH3PbI3) and inorganic (CsPbI3) halide lead perovskites (HLPs) in a simulated space environment utilising the Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System (PHITS) in its cosmic-ray source mode. Contributions from galactic cosmic rays (GCRs), solar energetic particles (SEPs), and radiation within Low Earth Orbit (LEO) were considered. A crucial comparative simulation with pure Silicon (Si) under identical conditions revealed Si’s superior resistance to radiation damage, while both HLPs exhibited reduced displacement per atom (DPA) at thicknesses 500 nm. The inorganic perovskite, CsPbI3, demonstrated a higher DPA and lower absorbed dose compared to CH3NH3PbI3, attributed to its greater mass density, greater energy per unit volume and higher linear energy transfer (LET). SEPs were identified as the primary cause of material damage due to their higher LET. While the higher mass density of CsPbI3 may lead to greater structural degradation over long-term energy applications, its high energy absorption per unit volume and lower ionisation energy suggest its suitability as a short-term space radiation sensor. Conversely, CH3NH3PbI3, when manufactured with a thickness 500 nm and properly encapsulated, may offer enhanced durability comparable to silicon-based solar cells for a cost-effective and dependable energy source for energy production in space.