Radioluminescent nuclear batteries with different phosphor layers

A radioluminescent nuclear battery based on the beta radioluminescence of phosphors is presented, and which consists of Pm-147 radioisotope, phosphor layers, and GaAs photovoltaic cell. ZnS:Cu and Y2O2S:Eu phosphor layers for various thickness were fabricated. To investigate the effect of phosphor layer parameters on the battery, the electrical properties were measured. Results indicate that the optimal thickness ranges for the ZnS:Cu and Y2O2S:Eu phosphor layers are 12 mg cm(-2) to 14 mg cm(-2) and 17 mg cm(-2) to 21 mg cm(-2), respectively. ZnS:Cu phosphor layer exhibits higher fluorescence efficiency compared with the Y2O2S:Eu phosphor layer. Its spectrum properly matches the spectral response of GaAs photovoltaic cell. As a result, the battery with ZnS:Cu phosphor layer indicates higher energy conversion efficiency than that with Y2O2S:Eu phosphor layer. Additionally, the mechanism of the phosphor layer parameters that influence the output performance of the battery is discussed through the Monte Carlo method and transmissivity test. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.