Introduction to Radiation-Effects Engineering

Learning Objective

This research-project-based course will provide an introduction to concepts of radiation-effects engineering for microelectronics. Student will gain an introductory understanding of radiation-effects mechanisms in microelectronic devices, radiation environments, and the types of knowledge and skills involved in this specialty.

Description

This course will leverage on-line instructional materials from subject matter experts in different aspects of radiation effects engineering, literature reading assignments, and individual directed research projects in aspects of radiation effects in microelectronics. Students will have the opportunity to hear from and interact with other students, faculty, and subject matter experts from other universities and organizations in the field in radiation effects, helping to build professional networks and collaboration opportunities. Students will be expected to conduct a research project to be agreed upon with a faculty mentor at their respective institution but may also be co-mentored by subject matter experts at other organizations. Students will be expected to produce a report summarizing their research project at the end of the semester and this will serve as the basis for any performance metric depending on the local university’s requirements. The introductory course will span 1 academic semester.

Topics Covered

• Introduction to transistors and basic circuit elements

• Electronics technologies and scaling

• Radiation environments

• Mechanisms of radiation interactions with materials used in electronic devices

• Manifestations of radiation effects: total ionizing dose, transient, displacement damage

• Experimental radiation response characterization

• Simulation of radiation effects

• Event-rate calculations

• Mitigation strategies at the process, technology, circuit design, and system level

• Career paths in radiation-effect engineering: industry government, and academia