ZnS:Cu Phosphor Layers as Energy Conversion Materials for Nuclear Batteries: A Combined Theoretical and Experimental Study of Their Geometric Structure

The feasibility of utilizing the method of phosphor layer structure optimization to improve the performance of beta‐radioluminescent nuclear batteries is investigated. The designs of different V‐groove structures and conventional planar structures of ZnS:Cu phosphor layers are discussed. Monte Carlo simulations have been used to analysis the transportation of beta‐particles released from the63Ni and147Pm plate sources, along with the corresponding energy deposition in the phosphor layers. Radioluminescence properties are characterized and the influence of configuration parameters on the luminescence intensity and emission wavelength is revealed. The current–voltage characteristic curves of beta‐radioluminescent nuclear batteries with the above phosphor layer structures are used to analyze the electrical properties. Additionally, the deposited energy in the phosphors and radioluminescence luminous flux as a linear function of the maximum output power are investigated for different combinations of those phosphor layers and beta sources.