Measuring Space Radiation with Rare Isotope Beams... RAON Opens New Path for Aerospace Semiconductor Testing [Reading Science]

IBS-KARI Joint Research Team Successfully Demonstrates First Measurement of Single Event Effects (SEE) Using Secondary Heavy Ion Beams
Radiation Resistance Testing, Once Dependent on Overseas Facilities, Now Proven Feasible with Domestic Accelerators

The RAON (Rare isotope Accelerator complex for ON-line experiments), a heavy ion accelerator built with independent domestic technology, has marked a new turning point in the field of reliability evaluation for space and aviation semiconductors. A joint research team from the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) Rare Isotope Science Project and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) has successfully demonstrated, through experiments, the feasibility of measuring single event effects (SEE) in semiconductors by utilizing secondary heavy ion beams generated during the rare isotope production process.

This research is significant as it is the first to demonstrate the potential for evaluating space radiation effects using secondary heavy ion beams, advancing beyond conventional heavy ion beam-based radiation testing methods. Until now, most tests for semiconductor resistance to space radiation have relied on overseas heavy ion accelerator facilities.

Photo of the heavy ion beam irradiation station for space-use semiconductors. Provided by IBS

Real-Time Identification and Irradiation Achieved Even in Mixed Particle Environments

Secondary heavy ion beams are produced as a mixture of different particle types and energies, making their experimental application highly challenging. The research team focused on establishing stable experimental conditions that allow for real-time identification of individual particles while irradiating semiconductors, thereby confirming the feasibility of actual measurements.

Kwak Minsik, the first author of the paper and a research fellow at the IBS Rare Isotope Science Project, explained, "Although secondary heavy ion beams present demanding experimental conditions, we demonstrated the feasibility of measurements through precise control of particle identification and irradiation environments, which is highly meaningful."

First Research Publication Utilizing RAON's External Beam Access

This study is also symbolic as it is the first paper derived from experiments using beams provided to external researchers at RAON. Choo Kyungho, co-corresponding author and research fellow at the IBS Rare Isotope Science Project, stated, "This is the first case where close collaboration between external researchers and accelerator staff has proven the practical utility of RAON," adding, "The fact that the experiment was conducted with just a single day of beam time shows that, with sufficient preparation, meaningful results can be achieved even with limited beam resources."

Lee Woojoon, co-corresponding author and senior researcher at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, emphasized, "In the era of New Space, it is essential to verify the reliability of semiconductors used in satellites, launch vehicles, and space exploration missions against the space radiation environment. Radiation-induced phenomena such as single event effects can directly lead to mission failures, making precise ground-based testing crucial." He added, "As testing techniques and data accumulate in the future, the foundation will be laid for independently conducting radiation resistance evaluations of space and aviation semiconductors within Korea."

"RAON, a Research Infrastructure Bridging Strategic Industries and Basic Science"

Kwon Myun, acting director of the IBS Rare Isotope Science Project, stated, "This achievement demonstrates that RAON, built with independent domestic technology, is capable of supporting world-class accelerator-based research. We will continue to actively open RAON to researchers and develop it as a research infrastructure that simultaneously supports national strategic industries and basic science."

This research outcome is expected to serve as an important foundation for establishing a domestic accelerator-based radiation testing system for space and aviation components, as well as for expanding the technological infrastructure supporting strategic industries. The results were published in the January issue of the international SCI(E) journal 'Nuclear Engineering and Technology' in the field of nuclear engineering and radiation.