Al- and Al:In-Doped ZnO Thin Films Deposited by RF Magnetron Sputtering for Spacecraft Charge Mitigation

We investigate the utility of impurity-doped ZnO as charge-mitigating thin films for spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit. Satellite solar panel cover glass and thermal control blankets are commonly coated in tin-doped indium oxide which serves as a leakage path for accumulated surface charge. The increase in demand for indium has generated interest in alternative space-stable satellite coatings. We demonstrate the orbital stability of Al- and Al:In-doped ZnO exposed to a high-energy electron flux and simulated solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation.