FUEL DESIGN AND SHIELDING DESIGN FOR RADIOISOTOPE THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS

摘要

Provided is a fuel design configured to have a thickness that is equal to or less than a mean-free path of electrons emitted by a radioactive energy source to prevent electrons produced thereby from being stopped within the fuel design and thus decreasing the intensity of bremsstrahlung radiation generated within the fuel design. Additionally provided is a two-phase shielding system including a first shield formed of a first material having a thickness exceeding a mean-free path of an electron emitted from a radioactive source material so as to prevent the electron from passing through the first shield, and a second shield formed of a second material configured to prevent bremsstrahlung radiation generated by the electron from passing through the second shield.