Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 9, 2026
Atomic Layer Deposition of Vanadium Dioxide and a Temperature-dependent Optical Model
Published on: May 23, 2018
Comparative Monte Carlo study of transparent protective layers for beta radiation attenuation in betavoltaic
Kevser A Hışıroğlu1, Özgür Akçalı1, Ozan Toker1
1Department of Physics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Yildiz Technical University, 34220, Istanbul, Turkey.
Abstract:
This study investigates the beta radiation shielding and transmission performance of transparent polymers and glasses used as protective layers in commercial p-i-n diodes for betavoltaic systems. To the best of our knowledge, this study presents the first comprehensive application of the Half Absorption Thickness (HAT) metric to transparent polymers and glasses, providing a novel quantitative parameter for optimizing beta shielding performance. MCNP6.2 simulations were performed for seven beta sources (3H, 63Ni, 14C, 147Pm, 90Sr, 90Y, 99Tc) and five materials (PMMA, SMMA, PC, Pyrex, glass) over nanometer-millimeter thicknesses. Transmission strongly depended on material type and source energy; glass attenuated 94 % of 3H at sub-micron thickness, while PC transmitted over 30 %. The Half Absorption Thickness (HAT) metric revealed nanoscale attenuation differences, such as <200 nm for 3H in glass versus >600 nm in PC. Logarithmic regression models (R2 > 0.99) allow rapid performance estimation, providing a quantitative basis for material selection in betavoltaic batteries, medical diagnostics, aerospace sensors, and radiation-hardened electronics.
