Energy deposition, parameter optimization, and performance analysis of space radiation voltaic batteries

concept of space radiation-voltaic batteries (SRVBs) based on various space radiation environments, including the earth radiation belt ( ERB), solar proton event ( SPE), and galactic cosmic rays ( GCRs) is presented in this paper. The energy deposition, structural parameter optimization, and output performance of SRVBs are studied through the Monte Carlo toolkit Geant4 and theoretical formulas. Energy deposition in the three radiation environments monotonically decreases as the depth in both silicon film models and energy conversion units of the SRVBs increase. The recommended junction depths of SRVBs based on ERB, SPE, and GCR are 0.5, 3.0, and 0.5 μm, respectively. In the proposed design scheme, the maximum output power density of SRVBs in ERB, SPE, and GCR are 2.022×10-7, 1.113×10-3, and 3.844×10-17 W?cm-2, respectively. Calculation results suggest that SRVBs based on ERB and SPE are high-potential candidates for space power sources. The results could help raise awareness on the use of space radiation particle energy and facilitate research on SRVBs.