Qualification of a new facility for neutron hardness assurance testing of electronics [for military systems]

Author

Sheehan, P.S. ; Saxey, B.L.

Author_Institution

Ogden Eng. Oper., TRW Ballistic Missiles Div., UT, USA

Volume

39

Issue

6

fYear

1992

fDate

12/1/1992 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1883

Lastpage

1891

Abstract

The challenges of qualifying a TRIGA reactor for electronics testing are presented. Early concerns centered on the test chamber development, parts test setup, and neutron-to-gamma ratio. Later efforts were directed at achieving uniformity and reproducibility by following ASTM standards. A spectrum determination was conducted. Several problems were encountered when attempting to establish dosimetry methods. Lack of correlation between semiconductor part test results at the TRIGA and a fast burst reactor (FBR) led to NIST calibration

Keywords

calibration; environmental testing; military standards; military systems; neutron effects; radiation hardening (electronics); semiconductor device testing; test facilities; ASTM standards; NIST calibration; TRIGA reactor; dosimetry method; electronics testing; military systems; neutron hardness assurance testing; neutron-to-gamma ratio; parts test setup; semiconductor part test results; test chamber development; Calibration; Dosimetry; Electronic equipment testing; Inductors; NIST; Neutrons; Qualifications; Reproducibility of results; Semiconductor device testing; Test facilities;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9499

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/23.211382

Filename

211382