Patent Number: 040244202
Section: claims

1. 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.  the distance from any P-N junction at any point in a region of first type conductivity is less than approximately one diffusion length of a minority carrier in the region of first type conductivity.  the distance from any P-N junction at any point in a region of second type conductivity is less than approximately one diffusion length of a minority carrier in the region of second type conductivity.  each P-N junction is substantially perpendicular to the two major opposed surfaces and substantially parallel to each other.  the first and second regions form a parallel planar lamellar array.  the preferred planar orientation is (111).  the preferred planar orientation is (111), and  the second regions are oriented in a preferred wire direction which is one selected from the group consisting of (110), (101) and (011).  the preferred planar orientation is (111), and  the second regions are oriented in a preferred wire direction which is one selected from the group consisting of (112), (121) and (211).  the P-N junctions formed by the contiguous surfaces of each pair of first and second regions of opposite type conductivity define a parallel columnar array.  each second region has a triangular cross-section and the three sides of the region are parallel to the (112) plane, the (121) plane and the (211) plane, respectively.  the preferred planar orientation is (100);  each second region has a square cross-section and two pairs of sides, the sides of each pair being parallel to each other, and  each side of one pair lies in, or is parallel to the (011) crystallographic plane and each side of the other pair lies in, or is parallel to, the (011).  the preferred planar orientation is (110);  each second region has a diamond-like cross-section, and two pairs of sides, the sides of each pair being parallel to each other, and  each side of one pair lies in, or is parallel to, the (001) crystallographic plane and each side of the other pair lies in, or is parallel to, the (111) crystallographic plane.  each second region has a hexagonal cross-section and three pairs of sides parallel to the (112), the (121) and the (211) crystallographic planes, respectively.  means for disposing a radioactive source within the semiconductor body includes walls defining an aperature extending entirely between, and terminating in, the two major opposed surfaces of the body and substantially aligned with the vertical axis and centered with respect to the peripheral side surface of the semiconductor body.  the means for disposing a radioactive source within the semiconductor body includes a deep buried layer of radioactive material located substantially midway between the two major opposed surfaces and centered with respect to the peripheral side surfaces of the semiconductor body.  the means for disposing a radioactive source within the semiconductor body includes  a third region having a preferred crystallographic orientation and an vertical axis substantially aligned with the vertical axis of the body and extending between, and terminating in, the two major opposed surfaces,  the material of third region being recrystallized semiconductor material of the body having solid solubility of at least a radioactive material therein,  at least the radioactive material being substantially uniformly distributed throughout the third 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.  the means for disposing a radioactive source within the semiconductor body includes a symmetric array of apertures substantially midway between the two major opposed surfaces of the semiconductor body.  the means for disposing a radioactive source within the semiconductor body includes a symmetric array of deep buried layers of radioactive material located substantially midway between the two major opposed surfaces of the semiconductor body.  the means for disposing a radioactive source within the semiconductor body includes the neutron activation of the semiconductor material of the semiconductor body.  the radioactive source is a gamma emitter.  the radioactive source is an x-ray emitter.  the radioactive source is a Beta emitter  the radioactive source is a Beta emitter.  the radioactive source is a Beta emitter.  the energy of the radioactive emissions is less than the radiation damage threshold of the semiconductor material.  the rate of decrease in minority carrier lifetime from radiation damage arising from radioactive emissions in the semiconductor body is less than the rate of decay of the radioactive source.  means for electrically connecting the battery into an external electric circuit.  means for electrically connecting the battery into an external electrical circuit.  the first internal electrical circuit arrangement includes a plurality of first electrical contacts, each first electrical contact being affixed to, and in an electrically conductive relationship with, only one first region, and  the second internal electrical circuit arrangement includes a plurality of second electrical contacts, each second electrical contact being affixed to, and in an electrically conductive relationship with, only one second region.  at least one radial electrical isolation planar region of second type conductivity extending between and terminating in the two opposed major surfaces;  dividing the body symmetrically into a plurality of equal radial sectors each containing a plurality of first and second type conductivity regions.  the first internal circuit arrangement includes electrically connecting together in parallel circuit arrangement all regions of first type conductivity in each of the plurality of radial sectors and electrically connecting all the parallel circuit arrangements in a first series circuit arrangement, and  the second internal circuit arrangement includes electrically connecting together in a parallel circuit arrangement all regions of second type conductivity in each of the plurality of radial sectors and electrically connecting all the parallel circuit arrangements in a second series circuit arrangement.  at least one radial electrical isolation planar region of second type conductivity extending between, and terminating in the two opposed major surfaces;  dividing the body symmetrically into a plurality of equal radial sectors each containing a plurality of first and second type conductivity regions.  the first internal circuit arrangement includes electrically connecting together in parallel circuit arrangement all regions of first type conductivity in each of the plurality of radial sectors and electrically connecting all the parallel circuit arrangements in a first series circuit arrangement, and  the second internal circuit arrangement includes electrically connecting together in a parallel circuit arrangement all regions of second type conductivity in each of the plurality of radial sectors and electrically connecting all the parallel circuit arrangements in a second series circuit arrangement.  at least one electrical isolation planar region the second type conductivity disposed in the body and extending between, and terminating in, the two opposed major surfaces;  dividing the body symmetrically into a plurality of equal cross-sectional area sectors.  the first internal circuit arrangement includes electrically connecting together in parallel circuit arrangement all regions of first type conductivity in each of the plurality of radial sectors and electrically connecting all the parallel circuit arrangements in a first series circuit arrangement, and  the second internal circuit arrangement includes electrically connecting together in a parallel circuit arrangement all regions of second type conductivity in each of the plurality of radial sectors and electrically connecting all the parallel circuit arrangements in a second series circuit arrangement.  at least one electrical isolation planar region of second type conductivity disposed in the body and extending between, and terminating in, the two opposed major surfaces;  dividing the body symmetrically into a plurality of equal sectors.  the first internal circuit arrangement includes electrically connecting together in parallel circuit arrangement all regions of first type conductivity in each of the plurality of radial sectors and electrically connecting all the parallel circuit arrangements in a first series circuit arrangement, and  the second internal circuit arrangement includes electrically connecting together in a parallel circuit arrangement all regions of second type conductivity in each of the plurality of radial sectors and electrically connecting all the parallel circuit arrangements in a second series circuit arrangement.  at least one electrical isolation planar region of second type conductivity disposed in the body and extending between, and terminating in, the two opposed major surfaces;  dividing the body symmetrically into a plurality of equal sectors.  the first internal circuit arrangement includes electrically connecting together in parallel circuit arrangement all regions of first type conductivity in each of the plurality of radial sectors and electrically connecting all the parallel circuit arrangemens in a first series circuit arrangement, and  the second internal circuit arrangement includes electrically connecting together in a parallel circuit arrangement all regions of second type conductivity in each of the plurality of radial sectors and electrically connecting all the parallel circuit arrangements in a second series circuit arrangements.  at least one electrical isolation planar region of second type conductivity disposed in the body and extending between, and terminating in, the two opposed major surfaces;  dividing the body symmetrically into a plurality of equal sectors.  the first internal circuit arrangement includes electrically connecting together in parallel circuit arrangement all regions of first type conductivity in each of the plurality of radial sectors and electrically connecting all the parallel circuit arrangements in a first series circuit arrangement, and  the second internal circuit arrangement includes electrically connecting together in a parallel circuit arrangement all regions of second type conductivity in each of the plurality of radial sectors and electrically connecting all the parallel circuit arrangements in a second series circuit arrangement.  the semiconductor material is silicon,  the conductivity of the first regions is N-type, and  the conductivity of the second regions is P-type.  each of the second regions has aluminum as a dopant impurity therein, the concentration of which is the solid solubility of aluminum in silicon at the migration processing temperature.  the semiconductor material is gallium arsenide.  the semiconductor material is germanium. 2. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 1 wherein: 3. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 2 wherein: 4. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 1 wherein: 5. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 4 wherein 6. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 5 wherein: 7. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 5 wherein: 8. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 5 wherein: 9. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 5 in which the two major opposed surfaces of the semiconductor body are parallel to a single (100) crystallographic plane and in which the planar P-N junctions are parallel to a single crystallographic plane selected from the group consisting of the (011) and the (011) crystallographic planes. 10. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 5 in which the two major opposed surfaces of the semiconductor body are parallel to a single (110) crystallographic plane and in which the planar P-N junctions are parallel to the (001) crystallographic plane. 11. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 4 wherein 12. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 6 wherein 13. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 1 wherein 14. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 11 wherein 15. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 6 wherein 16. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 1 wherein 17. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 1 wherein 18. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 1 wherein 19. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 1 wherein 20. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 1 wherein 21. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 1 wherein 22. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 1 wherein 23. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 1 wherein 24. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 18 wherein 25. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 19 wherein 26. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 20 wherein 27. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 1 wherein 28. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 1 wherein 29. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 22 and including 30. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 23 and including 31. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 1 and wherein 32. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 16 and including 33. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 32 wherein 34. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 17 wherein 35. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 34 wherein 36. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 18 and including 37. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 36 and including 38. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 19 wherein 39. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 38 wherein 40. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 20 and including 41. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 40 wherein 42. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 21 and including 43. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 42 wherein 44. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 1 wherein 45. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 44 wherein 46. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 1 wherein 47. The deep diode atomic battery of claim 1 wherein