Plasma Separation Process: Betacell (BCELL) code: User's manual. [Bipolar barrier junction]

Technical Report · Fri Nov 13 00:00:00 EST 1987

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5193363· OSTI ID:5193363

Taherzadeh, M.

The emergence of clearly defined applications for (small or large) amounts of long-life and reliable power sources has given the design and production of betavoltaic systems a new life. Moreover, because of the availability of the plasma separation program, (PSP) at TRW, it is now possible to separate the most desirable radioisotopes for betacell power generating devices. A computer code, named BCELL, has been developed to model the betavoltaic concept by utilizing the available up-to-date source/cell parameters. In this program, attempts have been made to determine the betacell energy device maximum efficiency, degradation due to the emitting source radiation and source/cell lifetime power reduction processes. Additionally, comparison is made between the Schottky and PN junction devices for betacell battery design purposes. Certain computer code runs have been made to determine the JV distribution function and the upper limit of the betacell generated power for specified energy sources. A Ni beta emitting radioisotope was used for the energy source and certain semiconductors were used for the converter subsystem of the betacell system. Some results for a Promethium source are also given here for comparison. 16 refs.

• Research Organization: TRW Space and Technology Group, Redondo Beach, CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-77ET33006
• OSTI ID: 5193363
• Report Number(s): DOE/ET/33006-025; PSP-R1-1438; ON: DE88006955
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

07 ISOTOPES AND RADIATION SOURCES
RADIOISOTOPE BATTERIES
B CODES
DESIGN
MATERIALS
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
BETA PARTICLES
EFFICIENCY
GALLIUM ARSENIDES
GAMMA RADIATION
MANUALS
NICKEL 63
PLASMA
PROMETHIUM 147
RADIATION EFFECTS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
ARSENIC COMPOUNDS
ARSENIDES
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CHARGED PARTICLES
COMPUTER CODES
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
GALLIUM COMPOUNDS
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
IONIZING RADIATIONS
ISOTOPES
NICKEL ISOTOPES
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
PNICTIDES
PROMETHIUM ISOTOPES
RADIATIONS
RADIOISOTOPES
RARE EARTH ISOTOPES
RARE EARTH NUCLEI
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
070300* - Isotopic Power Supplies