Patent Number: 
Section: abstract

An exemplary thinned-down betavoltaic device includes an N+ doped silicon carbide (SiC) substrate having a thickness between about 3 to 50 microns, an electrically conductive layer disposed immediately adjacent the bottom surface of the SiC substrate; an N− doped SiC epitaxial layer disposed immediately adjacent the top surface of the SiC substrate, a P+ doped SiC epitaxial layer disposed immediately adjacent the top surface of the N− doped SiC epitaxial layer, an ohmic conductive layer disposed immediately adjacent the top surface of the P+ doped SiC epitaxial layer, and a radioisotope layer disposed immediately adjacent the top surface of the ohmic conductive layer. The radioisotope layer can be 63Ni, 147Pm, or 3H. Devices can be stacked in parallel or series. Methods of making the devices are disclosed.