A peer-reviewed journal published by K. N. Toosi University of Technology

An investigation into the impact of LET on the Single Event Burnout (SEB) sensitivity of a 3.3 kV PiN diode

Document Type : Research Article

Author

Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract
High-voltage semiconductor devices are vulnerable to Single Event Burnout (SEB) as a result of interactions with Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR). SEB is a permanent failure triggered by the passage of a single particle during the turn-off state of the device. This paper investigates SEB in a PiN diode induced by various ions in space through simulation. The Linear Energy Transfer (LET) of the ions studied was determined using SRIM. Additionally, the electrical properties of the device due to irradiation were analyzed using the Silvaco TCAD tool. The key indicator of SEB occurrence is the threshold voltage of SEB (VSEB). Therefore, the correlation between the ion's LET and VSEB was investigated. The results indicate that the most sensitive region is in the middle of the device, and SEB is caused by avalanche multiplication of ion-generated carriers. It was also observed that the VSEB decreased from 3200 V to 2100 V; as the LET increased from 0.19 to 58 MeV.cm2.mg-1 for He and Ta, respectively. Consequently, ions with higher LET values can cause the device to burnout at a lower VSEB level, increasing the device’s sensitivity to SEB.

Highlights

  • Single Event Burnout (SEB) in a PiN diode through simulation was studied.
  • The correlation between the ion's LET and threshold voltage of SEB (VSEB) was investigated.
  • The Linear Energy Transfer (LET) of the ions was determined using SRIM.
  • The electrical properties of the device due to irradiation were analyzed using the Silvaco TCAD tool.
  • Ions with higher LET values can cause burnout at a lower VSEB level, increasing the device's sensitivity to SEB.

Keywords


 
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Volume 5, Issue 3
Summer 2024
Pages 57-61

  • Receive Date 24 July 2024
  • Revise Date 10 August 2024
  • Accept Date 14 August 2024