Enhanced radioluminescent nuclear battery by optimizing structural design of the phosphor layer

Abstract

Summary Radioluminescent nuclear battery is a type of energy conversion device that can be miniaturized, which has the ability to convert nuclear energy into light energy, and again into electrical energy. To explore the response relationship between the phosphor layer structure and the electrical performance of radioluminescent nuclear battery, the physical model was established to research the deposition energy distribution by using Monte Carlo method. The radioluminescence spectra and current‐voltage characteristic curves were used to investigate the optical and electrical properties. Through a comprehensive comparison of single plane layer, double plane layer, and V groove layer structures, the simulated results are consistent with experimental results. The results indicate that the Monte Carlo simulation is applicable to analysis of the phosphor layer structure of radioluminescent nuclear battery. Additionally, the results also show that the structure type and physical parameters of the phosphor layer have great influence on the energy deposition. A suitable phosphor layer structure can provide a new route to exhibit higher energy conversion efficiency as well as improving the matching degree between the range of radioactive particles and the thickness of the phosphor layer.

Effect of americium‐241 source activity on total conversion efficiency of diamond alpha‐voltaic battery

“…However, considering the theoretical conversion efficiency and radiation damage, we believe that diamond is more suitable as a material for nuclear batteries than silicon or other semiconductor materials with narrow bandgaps. Various phosphor layers were loaded onto narrow bandgap GaAs photovoltaic devices to enhance the conversion efficiency of the nuclear battery, but the η total is still lower than 0.2%, indicating the weakness of the narrow bandgap semiconductor as nuclear battery material . Different studies show different total conversion efficiencies of diamond nuclear batteries, as mentioned above.…”

“…Various phosphor layers were loaded onto narrow bandgap GaAs photovoltaic devices to enhance the conversion efficiency of the nuclear battery, but the η total is still lower than 0.2%, indicating the weakness of the narrow bandgap semiconductor as nuclear battery material. 25,26 Different studies show different total conversion efficiencies of diamond nuclear batteries, as mentioned above. Highquality intrinsic layers usually result in high charge collection efficiency, leading to high conversion efficiency.…”

In‐Depth Analysis of the Internal Energy Conversion of Nuclear Batteries and Radiation Degradation of Key Materials

“…This study analyzed and compared the rule of the electrical properties of GaAs and AlGaInP photovoltaic units under different intensity levels of light, and proposed the minimum energy threshold of the radiation sources used in radioluminescent nuclear battery. The phosphor selected in this study was ZnS:Cu, which has good luminescence yield [ 34 ] and is radiation resistant. [ 35 ] The in situ electrical output of the battery under a high‐intensity source was analyzed, which was excited by an electronic linear accelerator.…”

Radioluminescent nuclear battery containing CsPbBr 3 quantum dots: Application of a novel wave‐shifting agent

“…For deep space exploration, nuclear batteries have become the inevitable choice because of their long‐term stability of power supply, unaffected by the external environment, long service life, safety, and reliability . Radioluminescent (RL) nuclear batteries can be miniaturized and have been extensively studied. Radioluminescent nuclear battery is a kind of indirect energy‐conversion nuclear battery; the RL nuclear battery consists of radiation sources, fluorescent materials, and photovoltaic cells.…”