The Institute for Space and Defense Electronics (ISDE) maintains a comprehensive suite of laboratory equipment and software tools to support research in radiation effects, reliability, and microelectronics. Our facilities enable experimental testing, device characterization, and advanced simulations to analyze and mitigate radiation-induced failures. From state-of-the-art irradiation sources and environmental chambers to industry-standard modeling and Monte Carlo simulation tools, ISDE provides the resources necessary for cutting-edge research and engineering solutions. This page details our capabilities, highlighting the tools and technologies that support our mission.
Our ARACOR 4100 X-ray Irradiator provides 10-keV X-ray exposure for total ionizing dose (TID) testing. This system enables controlled irradiation of electronic devices to evaluate long-term degradation effects in semiconductor materials and circuits.
ISDE operates two ¹³⁷Cs isotopic irradiators, which deliver gamma radiation for TID studies. These irradiators are used to assess the radiation tolerance of microelectronics by simulating space and nuclear environments.
The National Electrostatics Corp. (NEC) 6SDH Pelletron is a versatile ion accelerator capable of delivering proton beams from 250 keV to 4 MeV and alpha particles from 500 keV to 6 MeV, along with select light ions. The system includes a custom vacuum chamber measuring 20 inches in height and 24 inches in diameter. Inside the chamber, a 1-inch diameter beam can be precisely positioned using a motorized stage with approximately 2 inches of vertical travel. The stage features a mounting platform with 6-32 tapped holes on a 1-inch by 1-inch grid, allowing for secure and repeatable sample placement during irradiation experiments.
ISDE maintains a collection of radioactive button sources for controlled radiation testing and calibration. These sources provide low-dose exposure to alphas enabling precise characterization of radiation effects in microelectronics. They are used for device response studies and sensor calibration in a controlled laboratory environment. These sources complement ISDE’s broader irradiation capabilities, allowing for flexible and targeted experimentation.
Additionally, our staff has off-site experience at facilities including:
-Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory 88” Cyclotron
-Texas A&M Cyclotron
-Michigan State University National Superconducting Cyclotron
-Tri-University Meson Factory (TRIUMF)
-Brookhaven National Laboratory Tandem Van de Graaff
-NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL)
-Crane Linear Accelerator Facility
-Sandia National Laboratories Microbeam Facility
