Applied Physics Letters· 2020Q1
Ultrahigh conversion efficiency of betavoltaic cell using diamond pn junction
- 42citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2020year
Short summary
A diamond pn junction betavoltaic cell achieved a record 28% semiconductor conversion efficiency, nearing the theoretical limit.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Diamond pn junction betavoltaic cell achieved 28% semiconductor conversion efficiency.
- Observed open-circuit voltage of 4.26 V and fill factor of 0.85.
- Efficiency is close to the theoretical Shockley–Queisser limit for betavoltaic cells.
- Betavoltaic cells offer long operation life (years to a decade) for remote power.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
A betavoltaic cell, which directly converts beta particles into energy, is composed of a junction diode and a beta-emitting source. Because the cells can deliver electricity over a long operation life ranging from several years to a decade, they are promising devices for applications in remote locations such as outer space, deserts, and underground areas. Herein, we report efficient energy conversion using a diamond pn junction. We characterized the betavoltaic performance under electron-beam irradiation using scanning electron microscopy and observed an open-circuit voltage of 4.26 V, a fill factor of 0.85, and a semiconductor conversion efficiency of 28%. These are the best values reported thus far for betavoltaic cells. The efficiency is close to the theoretical Shockley–Queisser efficiency limit for betavoltaic cells.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Applied Physics Letters, 2020 · DOI ↗
Continue with a free account
Ask the paper: 3 free questions a day about this paper; save it, get its citation, new summaries every day for your field. Takeaways are Premium.
Continue free on the webSign in with Google or Apple; no card needed. You come back to this paper.
On your phone:
Field: Nuclear Energy and Engineering
Nuclear Energy and EngineeringEnergy