초록

A deep diode atomic battery is made from a bulk semiconductor crystal containing three-dimensional arrays of columnar and lamellar P-N junctions. The battery is powered by gamma rays and x-ray emission from a radioactive source embedded in the interior of the semiconductor crystal.

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A deep diode atomic battery comprising: a body of single crystal semiconductor material having a preferred crystallographic structure, a vertical axis, first and second major opposed surfaces, a peripheral side surface, a selected resistivity and a first type conductivity; at least one of the major

A deep diode atomic battery comprising: a body of single crystal semiconductor material having a preferred crystallographic structure, a vertical axis, first and second major opposed surfaces, a peripheral side surface, a selected resistivity and a first type conductivity; at least one of the major opposed surfaces having a preferred planar orientation which is one selected from (111), (110) and (100); a plurality of regions of second and opposite type conductivity and a selected resistivity disposed in the body; each region having a preferred crystallographic orientation and extending substantially parallel to a preferred axis of the crystallographic structure between, and terminating in, the two major opposed surfaces and having two opposed end surfaces; one of the two end surfaces of each region is coextensive with one of the major surfaces; the other end surface of each region is coextensive with the other one of the major opposed surfaces; the material of each of the second regions being of recrystallized semiconductor material of the body having solid solubility of a dopant material therein to impart the second type conductivity and selective level of resistivity thereto; the dopant material being substantially uniformly distributed throughout the second region, its solid solubility and its concentration being determined by a selected temperature range at which it was distributed within the region when migrated therethrough; a P-N junction formed by the contiguous surfaces of the materials of each region and the body; means for electrically connecting the first regions into a first internal electrical circuit arrangement; means for electrically connecting the second regions into a second internal electrical circuit arrangement; means for disposing a radioactive source within the body in a predetermined relationship with the first and second regions.