Patent Number: 041609271
Section: summary

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention generally relates to solid state devices exhibiting photovoltaic effects and is particularly directed to the provision of a device consisting of a class of polycrystalline ferroelectric ceramic materials which have been discovered to produce voltages upon the application of incident light thereto, such voltages having values many orders of magnitude higher than voltages typically produced by conventional photovoltaic materials. Initially, and as background, the instant inventive apparatus and techniques to be discussed hereinbelow are to be clearly distinguished from the photovoltaic effect now known in the prior-art in that the mechanism for the effect to be discussed herein appears to be unique and different from photovoltaic mechanisms previously described. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the primary objective of the instant invention to provide a device and technique by which extremely high voltage can be generated utilizing a solid state polycrystalline class of materials upon the application to such materials of incident light, the voltage generated exhibiting properties entirely unlike the well-known photovoltaic effect of the prior art and of orders of magnitude higher than voltages previously obtainable. The present application is directed to a device wherein the polycrystalline material, which is a ferroelectric ceramic, is radioactively ionized. This causes non-equilibrium carriers to be formed, and the device acts as a self-contained battery, even when not exposed to light.