Atomic battery

An atomic battery converts energy released by radioactive decay into electrical power. It can use heat-driven thermoelectric conversion, radiation-driven photovoltaics, or direct collection of charged particles.

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Radioisotope thermoelectric generator: A generator that converts heat from radioactive decay into electricity using thermoelectric materials. It is the established heat-conversion design used in many long-lived space power systems.
Radioisotope power system: A power system that uses radioactive decay as its energy source. Atomic batteries are components or design types within this broader class of power systems.
Radioactive decay: The spontaneous transformation of unstable atomic nuclei, accompanied by emitted particles or electromagnetic radiation. It supplies the energy that every atomic battery’s conversion chain begins with.
Solar cell: A semiconductor device that converts light directly into electricity. Solar cells avoid radioactive material but depend on available illumination.
Betavoltaic device: A device that converts energy from beta particles into electricity in a semiconductor junction. It turns emitted radiation directly into electrical charge rather than first producing useful heat.
Radioisotope thermoelectric generator in spaceflight: A spacecraft power source that converts heat from a radioisotope into electricity. Deep-space missions use this design where sunlight is weak or unavailable.
Radioisotope: An isotope with an unstable nucleus that undergoes radioactive decay. Its decay mode and half-life determine the battery’s heat or radiation supply.
Fuel cell: An electrochemical device that converts a fuel and oxidant into electricity. Fuel cells can deliver more power per unit time but require reactants to be supplied.
Alpha-voltaic device: A semiconductor device that generates electricity from alpha particles emitted by a radioactive source. It applies direct radiation-to-electricity conversion to energetic alpha emissions.
Voyager program: A NASA mission that sent twin spacecraft on tours of the outer Solar System and into interstellar space. Voyager spacecraft have relied on radioisotope thermoelectric generators for power since launch.