Design and performance study of four-layer radio-voltaic and dual-effect nuclear batteries based on γ-ray

Two kinds of four-layer nuclear batteries based on γ-ray, AlGaInP semiconductor PN junction, and ZnS:Cu fluorescent materials were prepared. One was a four-layer radio-voltaic nuclear battery (FRVB) with a volume of 1.00 cm3, and another is a four-layer dual-effect nuclear battery (FDEB) with a volume of 1.03 cm3. The output performance levels of the two batteries were tested with the irradiation of an X-ray tube. Results show that the output power of the nuclear battery in parallel is significantly greater than that in the series. However, the output power and power density of FDEB in parallel, which were 57.26 nW and 55.59 nW/cm3, respectively, both five times as high as those of FRVB in parallel. Each sub-cell of FDEB was connected in different ways according to actual requirements. Different output currents and voltages were obtained, whereas no difference was observed in output power. Moreover, the energy deposition of X-ray at each AlGaInP or ZnS:Cu layer in FDEB was simulated by using MCNP5. A small amount of energy deposition in the fluorescent layer significantly improved the electrical output performance of the nuclear battery. A multilayer dual-effect energy conversion mechanism improved the electrical output performance of the nuclear batteries.