A nuclear battery based on silicon p-i-n structures with electroplating 63Ni layer

Abstract

The paper presents the electrical performance measurements of a prototype nuclear battery and two types of betavoltaic cells. The electrical performance was assessed by measuring current-voltage properties (I–V) and determining the short-circuit current and the open-circuit voltage. With 63Ni as an irradiation source, the open-circuit voltage and the short-circuit current were determined as 1 V and 64 nA, respectively. The prototype consisted of 10 betavoltaic cells that were prepared using radioactive 63Ni. Electroplating of the radioactive 63Ni on an ohmic contact (Ti–Ni) was carried out at a current density of 20 mA/cm2. Two types of betavoltaic cells were studied: with an external 63Ni source and a 63Ni-covered source. Under irradiation of the 63Ni source with an activity of 10 mCi, the open-circuit voltage Voc of the fabricated cells reached 151 mV and 109 mV; the short-circuit current density Jsc was measured to be 72.9 nA/cm2 and 64.6 nA/cm2, respectively. The betavoltaic cells had the fill factor of 55% and 50%, respectively. Keywords: Betavoltaic effect, Betavoltaic cell, Nuclear battery, Radioisotope 63Ni, Electroplating