Theoretical Correlation of Broad Spectrum Neutron Sources for Accelerated Soft Error Testing

Abstract

Several broad spectrum, high energy neutron source facilities exist throughout the world for accelerated soft error testing. However, none accurately replicate the terrestrial neutron spectra across the range of 1 MeV to 1 GeV. The objective of this study is to quantify the errors introduced in accelerated soft error measurements from these facilities using a range of theoretical soft error cross-sections for both high and low critical charge events.Index Terms-Accelerated soft error testing, cosmic rays, neutron beams, single event upset, terrestrial neutrons.

Ensuring the reliability of power electronic devices with regard to terrestrial cosmic radiation

“…If we take the average atmospheric neutron flux at sea level (NEW YORK) to be 13 n/χμ 2 /hour [27,28] and assume a stopping length in silicon of about 40 cm [3], we end up with a maximum number of events within a silicon substrate of 100 μm thickness of 3.2 10 −3 /cm 2 /hour. If every event were to result in a destructive device failure we will be limited to a failure rate of 3.2 10 6 FIT/cm 2 .…”

“…Rather, neutron spallation sources which are also accessible for external users have energy cut-off in the order of 70-800 MeV. A selection of available neutron sources and their properties are described in [27]. Following up on the discussion of the mechanism of charge deposition in power devices, Section 2.1, it was stated that highest burst of charge are due to nucleon of energy above 50 MeV but not greater than 200 MeV.…”

“…Following up on the discussion of the mechanism of charge deposition in power devices, Section 2.1, it was stated that highest burst of charge are due to nucleon of energy above 50 MeV but not greater than 200 MeV. Many neutron spallation sources, specifically those listed in [27] fulfill this requirement.…”

The use of accelerated radiation testing for avionics

“…The broad-spectrum sources, such as the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), have been shown to best match in-field failure rates, when used to measure SEE sensitivities [2]. Researchers without easy access to a boardspectrum radiation source often resort to "piecing together" the same type of energy spectrum that exists terrestrially using several measurements at different energies.…”

Novel SER standards: Backgrounds and methodologies

“…JESD89 has been established in 2002 in order to fulfill this requirements based on in-depth discussions among experts in relevant fields. JESD89A [4] has been issued in 2006 as the revised version of JESD89, in which alpha-ray, thermal neutron [5], spallation neutron [6][7][8][9], (quasi-mono) energetic neutron [10][11][12] and high-altitude/underground field tests [13,14] are described more reasonable way compared to the original JESD89. SERs in logic devices, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) were discussed to a certain degree but test methods were not defined.…”