Simulation of NW-Based Betavoltaic Devices

Abstract

Betavoltaic devices are 'nuclear batteries' which can provide long-lasting, autonomous power for low-power and mobile applications. These batteries utilize the betavoltaic effect, or the transfer of β-particle kinetic energy into electrical work in a pn-junction, to generate a useable current. We demonstrate a method for optimizing the radiation energy capture efficiency in nanostructured devices in order to greatly improve device performance. By utilizing nanowire semiconductors to surround a β-emitting radioisotope, we have found that energy capture efficiency, and the resulting device performance, can be improved by factors upwards of 5 to 15 times in the case of low energy emitters.