Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• Ultra-low dose rate irradiation (0.002 rad(Si)/s) can cause more than three times greater degradation than common low dose rate (0.01 rad(Si)/s) in some bipolar devices. • Pre-irradiation elevated-temperature stress (PETS) can enhance radiation sensitivity by a factor up to 20.3. • Devices exhibiting PETS effects have a saturation dose rate for ELDRS below 0.01 rad(Si)/s. • The type and concentration of hydrogen bonds in the passivation layer are key factors influencing ELDRS and PETS effects.
Abstract
Enhanced low dose rate sensitivity (ELDRS) experiments were carried out on four commercial bipolar integrated circuits at dose rates ranging from 0.002 to 50 rad(Si)/s. Additionally, pre-irradiation elevated-temperature stress (PETS) experiments were conducted on the same devices at temperatures of 250 and 400 °C. The results show that for some devices, the radiation degradation when irradiated at an ultra-low dose rate of 0.002 rad(Si)/s is more than three times greater than that at a common low dose rate of 0.01 rad(Si)/s. Moreover, the maximum enhancement factor of the PETS effects reaches 20.3. It was also discovered that for devices exhibiting PETS effects, the saturation dose rate of ELDRS is less than 0.01 rad(Si)/s. A comprehensive analysis of the composition of the passivation layers indicated that the type and concentration of hydrogen bonds in these layers are the main factors contributing to the experimental outcomes.
1. Introduction
With the rapid development of commercial space industry, aimed at lower cost and shorter design cycles, the spacecraft electronic system hopes to utilize as much commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components as possible [1, 2]. Use of no-radiation-hardened bipolar COTS devices in spacecraft remains challenging due to the existing enhanced low dose rate sensitivity (ELDRS) effect [3, 4]. In particular, there is a lack of research on the radiation damage and mechanisms of bipolar devices at ultra-low dose rates. Therefore, this raises the question of whether the existing accelerated testing methods can satisfy the conservative evaluation under these conditions [5−7].
Moreover, several studies have demonstrated that bipolar devices that have been exposed to elevated-temperature stress before irradiation can also affect their radiation damage, which is referred to pre-irradiation elevated-temperature stress (PETS) effect [8, 9]. However, factors such as thermal shock and high temperature welding during the manufacturing and storage process of electronic system can affect the total dose tolerance of devices with PETS effects, thereby posing a risk to the safety and reliability of spacecraft.
In recent years, studies have shown that the passivation layer has a significant impact on the ELDRS effect and PETS effect. Seiler et al. conducted research on the ELDRS effect of LM124 operational amplifiers with six ...
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Shilong Gou, Wuying Ma, Zhibin Yao, Zujun Wang, Jiangkun Sheng, Yuanyuan Xue (2025). Enhanced low dose rate sensitivity and pre-irradiation elevated-temperature stress effects in bipolar devices: role of hydrogen in the passivation layer. SinoTechIntel Verified Research. https://doi.org/10.1088/1674-4926/25090014
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main finding of this study?
The study reveals that ultra-low dose rate irradiation can cause significantly greater degradation in some bipolar devices, and pre-irradiation elevated-temperature stress can dramatically enhance radiation sensitivity, with hydrogen in the passivation layer playing a key role.
How does ultra-low dose rate affect bipolar devices?
At an ultra-low dose rate of 0.002 rad(Si)/s, some devices show more than three times the degradation compared to a common low dose rate of 0.01 rad(Si)/s, indicating a strong ELDRS effect at very low dose rates.
What is the PETS effect and its significance?
PETS (pre-irradiation elevated-temperature stress) effect refers to the influence of elevated-temperature stress before irradiation on the radiation damage of bipolar devices. The study found enhancement factors up to 20.3, which is critical for device reliability in space applications.
What role does hydrogen play in the passivation layer?
The type and concentration of hydrogen bonds in the passivation layer are identified as the main factors contributing to the observed ELDRS and PETS effects, affecting the radiation sensitivity of the devices.
What are the implications for spacecraft electronics?
The findings highlight the need for conservative evaluation of bipolar COTS devices under ultra-low dose rates and the potential risks from thermal stresses during manufacturing and storage, impacting the safety and reliability of spacecraft.
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