Si--Au Schottky barrier nuclear battery

Thesis/Dissertation · Wed Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1972

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4458145· OSTI ID:4458145

Tse, Anthony N. ^[1]

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1. Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH (United States)

A long-life, high-power-density, high-reliability, compact microwatt battery is needed in many applications. In the field of medicine, for example, such a battery could power an artificial pacemaker which would greatly extend the residence time of the device. Various alternatives are analyzed and discussed. Betavoltaic conversion systems with Si-Au Schottky barrier cells coupled with ¹⁴⁷Pm metal foil were selected for investigation. Characterization experiments were performed to obtain optimized silicon resistivity and promethium metal foil thickness. Radiation dose rates were measured and the safety aspects of the battery were analyzed. A prototype battery was assembled and tested. The economics of the battery were demonstrated for special applications. It is concluded that a microwatt nuclear battery can be built with a conversion efficiency of 1 to 2%, a power density of 60 to 300 pW/cm³ depending on the power level, and a useful life of 5 to 10 years. Further research areas are recommended.

• Research Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-28-015420
• OSTI ID: 4458145
• Report Number(s): TID-26342
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis. Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-73
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
*CARDIAC PACEMAKERS- RADIOISOTOPE BATTERIES
*RADIOISOTOPE BATTERIES- - SAFETY
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
FABRICATION
GOLD
PROMETHIUM 147
RADIOISOTOPE HEAT SOURCES
SCHOTTKY EFFECT
SILICON
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems