The present invention is a power
cell for directly converting
ionizing radiation into electrical energy. The invented isotopic electric converter provides an electrical power source that includes an electronegative material layered in a
semiconductor, to form a first region that has a
high density of conduction electrons, and an electropositive material also layered in the
semiconductor material to form a second region with a
high density of holes. Said N-
layers region and P-
layers region are separated by a neutral zone of
semiconductor material doped with a radioactive
isotope, such as, but not limited to,
tritium. No junction is formed between the N and P
layers regions. Rather, the
potential gradient across the neutral zone is provided by the difference between the work functions of the electronegative and electropositive electrodes.
Electrical contacts are affixed to the respective regions of the first and second type
conductivity which become the
anode and
cathode of the
cell, respectively. Beta particles emitted by the
tritium generate
electron-hole pairs within the neutral zone, which are swept away by the
potential gradient between the first and second regions, thereby producing an
electric current.