High power beta electron device - Beyond betavoltaics

Journal Article · Fri Nov 10 00:00:00 EST 2017 · Applied Radiation and Isotopes

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2017.10.050· OSTI ID:1414906

Ayers, William M. ^[1]; Gentile, Charles A. ^[2]

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1. Ayers Group, Princeton, NJ (United States)
2. Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)

Developing watt level power sources with beta emitting radioisotopes has been limited by the inability to utilize high energy (> 100 KeV) beta emitters at high radioisotope loadings without damaging the energy conversion materials. A new type of beta electron power source is described that removes those restrictions. This approach contains the radioisotope in a beta transparent titanium tube and confines beta electrons emitted through the tube wall to spiral trajectories around the tube with an axial magnetic field. The confined beta electrons dissipate energy though multiple interactions with surrounding excimer precursor gas atoms to efficiently generate photons. Photovoltaic cells convert the photons to electrical power. Since the beta electrons dissipate energy in the excimer precursor gas, the device can be loaded with more than 10¹³ Bq of radioisotope to generate 100 milliwatt to watt levels of electrical power without damaging the device materials or degrading its performance. Furthermore, the power source can use a variety of beta radioisotopes and scales by stacking the devices.

• Research Organization: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: SC0012057
• OSTI ID: 1414906
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 1549047
• Journal Information: Applied Radiation and Isotopes, Journal Name: Applied Radiation and Isotopes Journal Issue: C Vol. 131; ISSN 0969-8043
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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