High-energy particle impact simulation technique for new semiconductor devices – SatNews

Chromacity Sp. z o. o. was cited in pioneering research conducted by Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, United States.

To evaluate the effectiveness of new semiconductor devices for radiation-resistant applications. Sandia used Chromacity 1280 Ultra-Fast Laser as part of their system for simulating radiation-induced events in logic circuits. High-energy particles are known to cause permanent or transient effects in semiconductor devices. The latest failure in NASA Voyager 1 a spacecraft whose memory was corrupted, probably by a high-energy particle impact.

Semiconductor devices are becoming increasingly susceptible to damage from high-energy particles. Space electronics have always been susceptible, and engineers are developing a range of countermeasures to mitigate the problems caused by these high-energy events. Semiconductor devices are rapidly adopting process technologies with smaller feature sizes, which exacerbates the problem and potentially opens up the possibility of damage to devices used in terrestrial applications.

Chromacity 1280 has a central wavelength of 1280 nm and can deliver sub-250 fs pulses at a repetition rate of 100 MHz. It is part of a family of fixed-wavelength femtosecond lasers that utilize the company’s patented hybrid free-space and fiber architecture, delivering class-leading performance in a compact and rugged form factor.

Chromacity Ltd. is a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of advanced ultrafast fiber lasers. Based in Edinburgh, UK, the company specializes in fixed-wavelength femtosecond and picosecond parametric oscillators ((OPO) based on tunable laser systems. Based on a novel patented laser architecture that provides ultrastable long-term performance, fixed-wavelength femtosecond fiber lasers operate at 1040 nm and 920 nm, and tunable picosecond OPO lasers operate in the near-infrared and mid-infrared region from 1.4 um to 12 um. These compact, air-cooled devices offer unmatched long-term pulse stability without the need for ongoing maintenance.