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At least 19 records

Update to the Microcontroller Benchmark for Radiation Testing

LANL developed a benchmark of software code for radiation testing of microprocessors several years ago, and it was published under an open-source license on GitHub. Publishing the software is necessary for other researchers to adopt and implement this benchmark for radiation testing of other microprocessors to standardize test practices so that test data can be compared across different microprocessors. The original codes have been used several times by other organizations to test a wide range of microcontrollers and microprocessors. After several years of research, LANL is ready to update the benchmark. Changes include: 1. Addition of new codes that allow common software codes to be tested, 2. Addition of new codes that instrument more microprocessor circuitry, 3. Addition of input patterns that allow for a more compressive understanding of how the memory layout affects the sensitivity to radiation-induced faults and better use of automated test pattern generation standards, and 4. Modification of current codes for faster and more resilient detection, reporting and correction of radiation-induced faults. These codes have been tested by LANL researchers over the last few years, which has been published in the open literature. As the code base for the new benchmarks are stable, it is time to release the update to the GitHub repository, where the original codes were released.

Quinn, Heather↗

Radiation Testing for High-Resolution Radiation-Hardened Camera System (Final CRADA Report)

The nuclear energy industry needs higher-image quality and higher rad-hard vision systems for refueling and inspection operations that are required every 12-18 months for all operating commercial reactors. During refueling operations, the serial numbers of fuel assemblies need to be visually verified in a challenging high radiation environment with dose rates on the order of 1kGy/hr. at the top of the core (approximately 10 days after shutdown). Vega Wave Systems has developed and built a radiation hard vision system that: 1. has high radiation hardness, 2. demonstrated best in the industry image quality, 3. has small size and weight, and 4. does not suffer from radiation-induced noise. ANL-1060 (02/13/2023) The proprietary Enduray vision system from Vega Wave Systems, Inc. is designed to withstand more than 400x the radiation level of the Vidicon-based systems, currently the highest radiation tolerant system in use today. The Van De Graaff (VDG) electron accelerator at Argonne National Laboratory is ideally suited for testing of Enduray vision system. VDG provides a broad band (up to 3 MeV) x-ray source that reasonably approximates the energy and spectrum of the gamma radiation expected at the top of a nuclear core 10 days after shutdown (~1kGy/hr.), is easily controlled for variable tests, and will not activate the parts under radiation for ease of timely and close inspection and characterization of the system in case of operational issues.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

A New Era of Nuclear Criticality Experiments: The First 10 Years of Radiation Test Object Operations at NCERC

The work presented in this paper focuses on the first 10 years (2011–2020) of radiation test object (RTO) operations at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center. RTOs are subcritical configurations of special nuclear material that are built by hand. These configurations are utilized for benchmark experiments, detector testing/characterization, and training. An overview of the types of measurements used in RTO operations is given as well as a history of RTO operations at Los Alamos National Laboratory from 1944–2011.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

UPF and Y-12 Criticality Accident Alarm System (CAAS) Radiation Testing Report

This report documents the experimental conditions and results for the testing of the Mirion Technologies CAAS-3S Criticality Accident Alarm System (CAAS) for the Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) and Uranium Processing Facility (UPF). The testing was conducted at the Godiva IV Burst Reactor at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC) at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) during the week of January 11, 2021. The testing was conducted in accordance with 25774-QL-POA-JR00-00002-VDE-27.0, CAAS-3S Radiation Testing of Cabinet Components Test Plan. The tests subjected the CAAS-3S system to intense and short duration mixed neutron and gamma radiation fields and to high integrated radiation doses. The purpose of the test was to environmentally qualify various CAAS-3S components in a radiation environment. Successful completion of the tests was predicated on the collaborative efforts of several organizations. Sandia National Laboratory (SNL) and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) provided dosimetry to estimate photon and neutron dose. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) manages the NCERC facility, operated the Godiva IV reactor, and provided field support for CAAS-3S placement and communications interface for data acquisition systems supplied by Mirion Technologies. Throughout the test campaign, Y-12 and UPF personnel provided technical support in determining changes to the test schedule, as needed, interpretation of the results, and comparison between the measured dosimetry data and predicted results. Throughout the test campaign, Mirion personnel provided technical support in the operation of the CAAS-3S system itself.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

CAAS-3S Radiation Testing for Y-12 and UPF with Godiva-IV

The Y-12 National Security Complex and the Uranium Processing Facility (UPF) selected the Mirion CAAS-3S as the Criticality Accident Alarm System for UPF and for Y-12 facilities replacing their legacy CAAS as part of efforts to extend the facility lifespans. As part of this process, the CAAS-3S system was exposed to a high radiation dose and dose rate during reactor testing with the Godiva-IV fast burst reactor. The reactor testing was designed around preliminary analyses that determined Y-12 and UPF requirements, and simulations of the radiation field within the reactor facility were used to determine reactor operating parameters, CAAS equipment locations, and the design of a neutron shield wall. This paper presents the design and results of the testing, and discusses how the test results were interpreted by criticality safety engineers at Y-12 and UPF.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

CAAS-3S Radiation Testing for Y-12 and UPF with Godiva-IV

Goals: 1) Qualify the CAAS-3S system to a mixed-field radiation dose and dose rate, and 2) Extend the Y-12 Shielding MCNP Validation to rad-si. This paper represents the efforts of Y-12 and UPF personnel, and their interpretation of the test results.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

CMS High Granularity Calorimeter ECON-D ASIC overview and radiation testing results

The Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) Experiment’s High Granularity Calorimeter (HGCAL) upgrade replaces the CMS electromagnetic and hadronic endcap calorimeters in preparation for the high-rate and high-radiation environment of the High Luminosity LHC. To effectively use the over 6 million channels of this highly-segmented “imaging” calorimeter, CMS is pioneering very front-end data compression with the Endcap Concentrator (ECON) ASICs – the ECON-T for the trigger path and the ECON-D for the data path. These 65 nm CMOS ASICs are radiation tolerant (200 Mrad) and low-power (< 2.5 mW/channel). In June 2023, we received the first full-functionality prototype of the data path concentrator ASIC, the ECON-D-P1. This talk will present an overview of the ECON-D-P1, summarize functionality and system testing, and present results from both Total Ionizing Dose (TID) and Single Event Effect (SEE) testing campaigns completed in summer 2023, validating the ECON-D radiation tolerant performance.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

In-situ proton radiation testing of 2.4 micron wavelength extended InGaAs photodiodes at dry ice and room temperatures

We have successfully tested 290 µm diameter, 2.4 micron wavelength, Extended InGaAs photodiodes coupled with single mode fiber using 50 MeV Protons at both dry ice temperature (-72 °C) and room temperature (20 °C). The devices were reverse biased at 100 mV during the radiation run and their leakage current was continuously monitored insitu during the exposure. These devices find multiple applications in space for spectroscopy & sensing, inter-satellite optical communication links, rapid Doppler shift LIDAR, as well as inter-planetary and Earth-to-Moon communication links. Several photodiodes were tested using 50 MeV Protons with an average flux level of 2.11 × 10 7 protons/cm 2 /s, for a total fluence of 1.0 × 10 11 protons/cm 2 and total dose of 20 krad (water). Pre- and post-radiation results were also measured for leakage current vs. voltage, responsivity (quantum efficiency), and bandwidth of the Extended InGaAs photodiodes. Finally, all devices were found to be fully functional at normal operating conditions and at both dry ice and room temperature.

2.4 micron wavelength↗

Radiation testing of 2.4 micron wavelength extended InGaAs photodiodes for 100 MeV/n carbon ions

We have successfully tested simultaneously 2.4 Micron Wavelength, Extended InGaAs Photodiodes having diameters of 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 290 Micron, coupled with a Single Mode Fiber using 100 MeV/n Carbon (C) Ions up to a cumulative dose of ~40 krad. During irradiation, the devices were maintained at dry ice temperature, reverse biased at 100 mV, and their leakage current was continuously monitored in-situ during the run. After the exposure was completed, all nine devices were monitored for any change in their leakage current at 100 mV and room temperature for several weeks to monitor any annealing effects that may occur. Nine Photodiodes with the above varying diameters were radiated with 100 MeV/n Carbon Ions with a fluence of 10 6 , 10 7 , 10 8 , 10 9 , and 10 10 ions/cm 2 at each fluence level. At 100 MeV/n the Linear Energy Transfer (LET) of Carbon Ion is ~0.156 MeV-cm 2 /mg in Extended InGaAs, which is an order magnitude more than Proton (H) and Helium (He) Ions of 100 MeV/n energy. Thus, significant displacement damage is anticipated in the Extended InGaAs Photodiode with 100 MeV/n Carbon Ions with a total fluence of 1 × 1010 ions/cm 2 . Pre- and Post- radiation results were also measured for: (1) Leakage Current Vs. Voltage for the Extended InGaAs Photodiodes; (2) Responsivity (Quantum Efficiency) in A/W for Photodiodes; and (3) Bandwidth of the Photodiodes. All devices were found to be fully functional at the normal operating conditions and at both dry ice and room temperature. The leakage current increased up to a factor of ~2X at lower bias of 100 mV at the highest fluence of 10 10 ions/cm 2 , but not significantly at higher bias of 2 V. Finally, we did not observe any post radiation annealing effect for leakage current at room temperature and 100 mV bias for any of the devices after several weeks of data logging.

2.4 micron wavelength↗

Radiation testing of AM materials [Slides]

This presentation discusses the combined irradiation testing methods, strategies, and high-level results of the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies program. Included are neutron irradiation, ion irradiation, and post-irradiation examination.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Radiation Hardening – Test Capabilities (LANSCE) [Slides]

The Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) has exceptional facilities for research and testing of radiation effects in electronics. We have the best terrestrial neutron source for sea-level and airplane-altitude environments. We have a thermal neutron test capability at the Lujan Center and a proton beam test capability at the “Blue Room”. LANL has the programmatic mission to develop this radiation-effects program, namely space and satellite environments, high-performance computing (silent data corruption), and weapons delivery systems. We have a strong connection to industry which continues to grow.

42 ENGINEERING↗

A Family of Multi-Dimensional Thermal Radiative Transfer Test Problems

Many thermal radiative transfer (TRT) test problems have been introduced over the years. Here, we will combine the good features of several tests into one new problem. Our goals are to have a multi-dimensional, multi-group TRT problem that stresses the physics and numerics of codes in a realistic way, but the geometry and materials are idealized just enough to be simple to set up in any code. The proposed problem has no connection to any physical experiment; it is simply meant to have a combination of properties that stress the solvers with both the optically thick and thin limits. To achieve this, we are willing to give up any form of analytic solution.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

ECON-T and ECON-D: Endcap Concentrator ASICs for the CMS HGCAL

With over 6 million channels, the High Granularity Calorimeter (HGCAL) for the CMS HL-LHC Upgrade presents a unique data challenge. The ECON ASICs provide critical on-detector data reduction for the 40 MHz trigger path (ECON-T) and 750 kHz data acquisition path (ECON-D) of the HGCAL. The ASICs, fabricated in 65 nm CMOS, are rad-tolerant (600 Mrad) with low power consumption (<2.5 mW/channel). This presentation is the first comprehensive description of the ECON designs, first functionality and radiation tests for the ECON-T ASIC, and first results from the full production of 75k ECON-D and ECON-T ASICs.

Bergamin, G. [CERN] (ORCID:0000000285758704)↗

Radiation Aging of Cable Insulation Systems to Support Extension of Cable Electrical Assessment Techniques - CRADA 562 (Final Report)

Radiation aging (primarily gamma radiation) affects a small subset of the LV cable population based on a 40-year operation. Increasing plant operating life to 60 or 80 years will result in additional cables experiencing degradation, either from radiation or from combined thermal and radiation effects. Previous research work done by EPRI and other researchers focuses on electrical diagnostics of thermal effects. However, the electrical diagnostic response of the cable system to radiation aging is minimally understood. In order to study the electrical responses from XLPE and EPR cabling and correlate these responses with radiation dose and level of thermal exposure, gamma radiation testing was performed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). This report covers the radiation testing performed at PNNL, which involved irradiation of 30-foot long cables and short witness samples. The cabling was irradiated, at room temperature, using cobalt-60 gamma-rays to intervals of 10 million rads (10 Mrads), for a maximum of 70 Mrads. The results can be used to determine cable conditions (extent of damage) more accurately and localize where the degradation exists along the length of the cable (axial location). These insights can provide operators with the options to focus repair, mitigation, or replacement efforts locally.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The Effect of Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test on Radiation Risk Estimate for Prostate Cancer Incidence among Atomic-Bomb Survivors

Following our previous report on the radiation doseresponse for prostate cancer incidence rates in the Life Span Study (LSS) cohort of atomic bomb survivors, we reevaluated the radiation-related risk adjusting for differences in baseline cancer incidence rates among three subsets of the LSS cohort defined by the timing of their first participation in biennial health examinations offered to the Adult Health Study (AHS) sub-cohort members and prostate-specificantigen (PSA) testing status for AHS participants: 1. nonAHS participants, 2. AHS participants before receiving PSA test, and 3. AHS participants after receiving PSA test. We found a 2.9-fold increase in the baseline incidence rates among AHS participants after receiving PSA test. After adjusting for the PSA-testing-status effects on the baseline rates the estimated excess relative risk (ERR) per Gy was 0.54 (95% CI: 0.15, 1.05), which was almost identical to the previously reported unadjusted ERR estimate (0.57, 95% CI: 0.21, 1.00). The current results confirmed that, while the PSA testing among AHS participants increased the baseline incidence rates, it did not impact the radiation risk estimate, strengthening the previously reported dose-response relationship for prostate cancer incidence in the LSS. As the use of PSA tests continue in screening and medical settings, analyses of possible effects of PSA testing should be an important aspect of future epidemiological studies of the association between radiation exposure and prostate cancer.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗