Space Radiation - Demand for ground tests

The proton environment in space can have a detrimental effect on semiconductor
components and other materials used in spacecraft. The ability to simulate this
environment on earth enables projects to take this hazard into consideration in
the design stage. Depending on the spacecraft orbit and duration the spectra will
differ and one of the principal advantages of the PIF is its ability to reproduce them.
The PIF has been originally implemented to investigate:

• Radiation hardness of the new electronic products
  

• Single Event Upsets (SEU) and Latch-ups (SEL) of electronic components
  

• Properties of radiation monitors for space and laboratory applications
  

• Basic mechanics of radiation effects in semiconductors
  

• Space radiation environment by on-earth simulations

User Lab Leading Features

The facility allows conducting research on radiation induced effects in electronics
and devices. It not only enables experiments with realistic space proton environment but
also provides mono-energetic beams for radiation hardness tests of materials.
PIF is used extensively by the space community as well as by research teams
in other disciplines. Our long-term experience with industries and space agencies 
provides extra benefits in field of applied science and technology. Several experiments in
physics as well as testing and calibrating of modern particle detectors and radiation monitors
have been already performed. A wide range of applications is feasible due to elementary
design aspects assuring:

1. Broad range of energies and intensities of the proton beam
   

2. Experiment adaptable monitoring of flux and dose
   

3. Fast and uncomplicated experimental setup
   

4. Transparent operating procedure
   

5. User friendly data acquisition system
   

6. Flexibility towards customers needs

As a prime user the PIF is available for irradiation experiments connected with ESA
space program for two periods a year, each of totally 120 hours of the beam time. 
The facility also operates at other times and is commonly available for other applied 
research conducted by external laboratories, universities and industry. These 
irradiations are performed in parasitic mode with other experiments. Because day 
shifts are reserved for biomedical applications, the irradiations are performed mostly 
at nights and during weekends. Short-duration experiments require only an irradiation 
request and order. Longer ones need an approval by the Cyclotron Research Committee.
The PSI beam and test area availability for the next period can be found in the PIF-calendar. 
In addition, the PSI beam production schedule for the next 6 months period can be 
found at Accelerator Physics and Development Division beam production page.  
The schedule for the next week is also available. For the low energy tests, please look 
at the OPTIS weeks; for the high energy experiments, please look at Proton-Therapie and 
PROSCAN part of the program.

Contact Information

Project Manager	Shipment / DUT Status
Dr. Wojtek Hajdas OBBA/010 Paul Scherrer Institute CH-5232 Villigen PSI Switzerland           Tel.: +41 (0)56 310 4212           Fax: +41 (0)56 310 2646           Email: Wojtek Hajdas	Ken Egli         OBBA/009         Paul Scherrer Institute         CH-5232 Villigen PSI         Switzerland         Tel.: +41 (0)56 310 3400         Fax: +41 (0)56 310 2646         Email: Ken Egli

Useful links

European Space Agency Technology Centre ESA-ESTEC

          ESA Radiation Effects and Component Analysis Techniques Section

          The European Space Components Information Exchange System

          Heavy Ion Facility HIF at the Université Catholique de Louvain Belgium (ECIF member)

Radiation Effects Facility RADEF at the University of Jyväskylä Finland (ECIF member)

ESTEC Co-60 Facility ECF (ECIF member)

ESTEC Californium-252 Assessment of Single-event Effects CASE (ECIF member)

          Irradiation facility at CERN - Switzerland (STC, IRRAD1 - very high energy p, n)

          Indiana University Cyclotron Facility (RERP - proton)