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Temperature effects on an InGaP (GaInP) 55Fe X-ray photovoltaic cell

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posted on 2023-06-09, 07:06 authored by Silvia Butera, Michael WhitakerMichael Whitaker, A B Krysa, Anna BarnettAnna Barnett
This paper investigates the effects of temperature on an InGaP (GaInP) 55Fe X-ray photovoltaic cell prototype for a radioisotope microbattery (also called a nuclear microbattery). An In0.5Ga0.5P p-i-n (5 µm i-layer) mesa photodiode was illuminated by a standard 206 MBq 55Fe radioisotope X-ray source and characterised over the temperature range -20?°C to 100?°C. The electrical power output of the device reached its maximum value of 1.5?pW at a temperature of -20?°C. An open circuit voltage and a short circuit current of 0.82?V and 2.5 pA, respectively, were obtained at -20?°C. While the electrical power output and the open circuit voltage decreased with increasing temperature, an almost flat trend was found for the short circuit current. The cell conversion efficiency decreased from 2.1% at -20?°C to 0.7% at 100?°C.

Funding

High Efficiency Betavoltaic Cells; G1455; STFC-SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FACILITIES COUNCIL; ST/M002772/1

STFC; ST/P001815/1

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Scientific Reports

ISSN

2045-2322

Publisher

Nature Publishing Group

Volume

7

Article number

a4981

Department affiliated with

  • Engineering and Design Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2017-07-10

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2017-07-10

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2017-07-10

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