Abstract

Introduction to Space Radiation Effects

Michael Wind¹, Peter Beck¹, Christoph Tscherne¹, Lukas Huber¹, Marcin Latocha¹

¹ Seibersdorf Labor GmbH

 

Abstract

Semiconductor devices are widely used in analog and digital applications on Earth and in space because they are cheap, small, fast, lightweight, and provide high functionality. When exposed to ionizing radiation, semiconductor devices are susceptible to a variety of damage mechanisms that have been observed and studied for many decades. Many findings on these phenomena have been compiled and documented in the literature (e.g. [1] - [6]). This presentation will give an overview on the main types of radiation effects, i.e., total ionizing dose (TID), single event effects (SEE), and total non-ionizing dose (TNID). The basic radiation effects that occur in electronics when exposed to the various radiation sources are presented. Knowledge on such effects is crucial for radiation effects engineers as semiconductor devices intended to be operated in a radiation environment, such as satellite electronics, require adequate knowledge of their sensitivity to the current radiation environment, which entails the need for dedicated radiation testing.