A Theoretical examination of source back-scattering, self-absorption phenomena, and size evaluation in betavoltaic cells

Authors

1 Department of Energy Engineering and Physics, Amirkabir University of Technology, No. 350, Hafez Ave, Valiasr Square, Tehran 15875-4413, Iran

2 Radiation Application Department, Shahid Beheshti University, Shahid Shahriari Square, Evin, Tehran 1983969411, Iran

3 Nano Electronics Lab (NEL), Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Shahid Shabanlou St., Lavizan, Tehran 16785-163, Iran

Abstract

The effect of source backscattering and self-absorption on the basic parameters of a 147Pm2O3/Si planar betavoltaic devices is covered. Calculations show that self-absorption loss can reach up to 31.579% of the actual activity and overall efficiency can be reduced from 4.361% to 4.274%. If self-absorption and source backscattering are considered together it is observed that the source backscattering factor compensates to some extent the reduction of the actual activity induced by the self-absorption and ultimately, overall conversion efficiency can reach up to 4.352%. Also, as a case study lower bounds on the size of planar and spherical betavoltaic cells are reported. Further, the effect of parameters such as nominal source curie content, the total number of fuel atoms in the division’s volume, total power released by the source, the maximum energy of beta particles, and semiconductor density in the size of the nuclear battery was investigated.

Graphical Abstract

A Theoretical examination of source back-scattering, self-absorption phenomena, and size evaluation in betavoltaic cells

Keywords

Advances in Energy Sciences and Technologies
Volume 1, Issue 2
September 2025
Pages 146-161

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History

  • Receive Date: 18 April 2025
  • Revise Date: 16 June 2025
  • Accept Date: 22 June 2025
  • Publish Date: 01 September 2025

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