Radio isotope thermal energy cell

摘要

One or more sintered disc pressings of thulium oxide are enclosed to form a capsule in a jacket of pref. molybdenum, zircon or tungsten which has a melting point of over 2300 degrees C, a neutron cross section of less than 0.2 barn and a half life of less than three days. Pref. the thulium oxide pressing has a density at least 80% of the theoretical maximum and a cross section to thermal neutrons of more than 5 barns. After irradiation for 30 to 90 days, in a reactor, by neutron flux of at least 1015 per sq. cm., the specific activity is at least 0.5 W/c.c. pref. between 0.5 and 1.5 W/cc.