ASTM E721-11

Standard Guide for Determining Neutron Energy Spectra from Neutron Sensors for Radiation-Hardness Testing of Electronics

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
It is important to know the energy spectrum of the particular neutron source employed in radiation-hardness testing of electronic devices in order to relate radiation effects with device performance degradation.
This guide describes the factors which must be considered when the spectrum adjustment methodology is chosen and implemented. Although the selection of sensors (foils) and the determination of responses (activities) is discussed in Guide E720, the experiment should not be divorced from the analysis. In fact, it is advantageous for the analyst conducting the spectrum determination to be closely involved with the design of the experiment to ensure that the data obtained will provide the most accurate spectrum possible. These data include the following : (1) measured responses such as the activities of foils exposed in the environment and their uncertainties, (2) response functions such as reaction cross sections along with appropriate correlations and uncertainties, (3) the geometry and materials in the test environment, and (4) a trial function or prior spectrum and its uncertainties obtained from a transport calculation or from previous experience.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers procedures for determining the energy-differential fluence spectra of neutrons used in radiation-hardness testing of electronic semiconductor devices. The types of neutron sources specifically covered by this guide are fission or degraded energy fission sources used in either a steady-state or pulse mode.
1.2 This guide provides guidance and criteria that can be applied during the process of choosing the spectrum adjustment methodology that is best suited to the available data and relevant for the environment being investigated.  
1.3 This guide is to be used in conjunction with Guide E720 to characterize neutron spectra and is used in conjunction with Practice E722 to characterize damage-related parameters normally associated with radiation-hardness testing of electronic-semiconductor devices.
Note 1—Although Guide E720 only discusses activation foil sensors, any energy-dependent neutron-responding sensor for which a response function is known may be used (1).  
Note 2—For terminology used in this guide, see Terminology E170.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2011
• ICS: 83.140.10 - Films and sheets
• Technical Committee: E10 - Nuclear Technology and Applications
• Drafting Committee: E10.07 - Radiation Dosimetry for Radiation Effects on Materials and Devices

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E721-07 - Standard Guide for Determining Neutron Energy Spectra from Neutron Sensors for Radiation-Hardness Testing of Electronics
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2450-23 - Standard Practice for Application of CaF<inf>2</inf>(Mn) Thermoluminescence Dosimeters in Mixed Neutron-Photon Environments
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E722-19 - Standard Practice for Characterizing Neutron Fluence Spectra in Terms of an Equivalent Monoenergetic Neutron Fluence for Radiation-Hardness Testing of Electronics
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011
• Referred By: ASTM F1190-18 - Standard Guide for Neutron Irradiation of Unbiased Electronic Components
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E720-23 - Standard Guide for Selection and Use of Neutron Sensors for Determining Neutron Spectra Employed in Radiation-Hardness Testing of Electronics
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011
• Referred By: ASTM F980-16 - Standard Guide for Measurement of Rapid Annealing of Neutron-Induced Displacement Damage in Silicon Semiconductor Devices
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E1854-19 - Standard Practice for Ensuring Test Consistency in Neutron-Induced Displacement Damage of Electronic Parts
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E1855-20 - Standard Test Method for Use of 2N2222A Silicon Bipolar Transistors as Neutron Spectrum Sensors and Displacement Damage Monitors
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E265-15(2020) - Standard Test Method for Measuring Reaction Rates and Fast-Neutron Fluences by Radioactivation of Sulfur-32
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E721 − 11
Standard Guide for
Determining Neutron Energy Spectra from Neutron Sensors
1
for Radiation-Hardness Testing of Electronics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E721; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
3
1.1 This guide covers procedures for determining the 2.1 ASTM Standards:
energy-differential fluence spectra of neutrons used in E170 Terminology Relating to Radiation Measurements and
radiation-hardness testing of electronic semiconductor devices. Dosimetry
The types of neutron sources specifically covered by this guide E261 Practice for Determining Neutron Fluence, Fluence
are fission or degraded energy fission sources used in either a Rate, and Spectra by Radioactivation Techniques
steady-state or pulse mode. E262 Test Method for Determining Thermal Neutron Reac-
tion Rates and Thermal Neutron Fluence Rates by Radio-
1.2 This guide provides guidance and criteria that can be
activation Techniques
applied during the process of choosing the spectrum adjust-
E263 Test Method for Measuring Fast-Neutron Reaction
ment methodology that is best suited to the available data and
Rates by Radioactivation of Iron
relevant for the environment being investigated.
E264 Test Method for Measuring Fast-Neutron Reaction
1.3 This guide is to be used in conjunction with Guide E720
Rates by Radioactivation of Nickel
to characterize neutron spectra and is used in conjunction with
E265 Test Method for Measuring Reaction Rates and Fast-
Practice E722 to characterize damage-related parameters nor-
Neutron Fluences by Radioactivation of Sulfur-32
mally associated with radiation-hardness testing of electronic-
E266 Test Method for Measuring Fast-Neutron Reaction
semiconductor devices.
Rates by Radioactivation of Aluminum
E393 Test Method for Measuring Reaction Rates by Analy-
NOTE 1—Although Guide E720 only discusses activation foil sensors,
any energy-dependent neutron-responding sensor for which a response sis of Barium-140 From Fission Dosimeters
2
function is known may be used (1).
E523 Test Method for Measuring Fast-Neutron Reaction
NOTE 2—For terminology used in this guide, see Terminology E170.
Rates by Radioactivation of Copper
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
E526 Test Method for Measuring Fast-Neutron Reaction
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
Rates by Radioactivation of Titanium
standard.
E704 Test Method for Measuring Reaction Rates by Radio-
activation of Uranium-238
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
E705 Test Method for Measuring Reaction Rates by Radio-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
activation of Neptunium-237
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
E720 Guide for Selection and Use of Neutron Sensors for
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Determining Neutron Spectra Employed in Radiation-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Hardness Testing of Electronics
E722 PracticeforCharacterizingNeutronFluenceSpectrain
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E10 on Nuclear
Terms of an Equivalent Monoenergetic Neutron Fluence
Technology and Applicationsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
for Radiation-Hardness Testing of Electronics
E10.07 on Radiation Dosimetry for Radiation Effects on Materials and Devices.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2011. Published November 2011. Originally
3
approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E721 – 07. DOI: For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
10.1520/E0721-11. contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
this guide. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E721 − 11
E844 Guide for Sensor Set Design and Irradiation for 4.2 This guide describes the factors which must be consid-
Reactor Surveillance, E 706 (IIC) eredwhenthespectrumadjustmentmethodologyischosenand
E944 Guide for Application of Neutron Spectrum Adjust- implemented.Although the selection of sensors (foils) and the
ment Methods in Reactor Surveillance, E 706 (IIA) determination of resp
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:E721–07 Designation:E721–11
Standard Guide for
Determining Neutron Energy Spectra from Neutron Sensors
1
for Radiation-Hardness Testing of Electronics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E721; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide covers procedures for determining the energy-differential fluence spectra of neutrons used in radiation-hardness
testing of electronic semiconductor devices.The types of neutron sources specifically covered by this guide are fission or degraded
energy fission sources used in either a steady-state or pulse mode.
1.2 This guide provides guidance and criteria that can be applied during the process of choosing the spectrum adjustment
methodology that is best suited to the available data and relevant for the environment being investigated.
1.3 This guide is to be used in conjunction with Guide E720 to characterize neutron spectra and is used in conjunction with
Practice E722 to characterize damage-related parameters normally associated with radiation-hardness testing of electronic-
semiconductor devices.
NOTE 1—Although Guide E720 only discusses activation foil sensors, any energy-dependent neutron-responding sensor for which a response function
2
is known may be used (1).
NOTE 2—For terminology used in this guide, see Terminology E170.
1.4The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E170 Terminology Relating to Radiation Measurements and Dosimetry
E261 Practice for Determining Neutron Fluence, Fluence Rate, and Spectra by Radioactivation Techniques
E262 Test Method for Determining Thermal Neutron Reaction Rates and Thermal Neutron Fluence Rates by Radioactivation
Techniques
E263 Test Method for Measuring Fast-Neutron Reaction Rates by Radioactivation of Iron
E264 Test Method for Measuring Fast-Neutron Reaction Rates by Radioactivation of Nickel
E265 Test Method for Measuring Reaction Rates and Fast-Neutron Fluences by Radioactivation of Sulfur-32
E266 Test Method for Measuring Fast-Neutron Reaction Rates by Radioactivation of Aluminum
E393 Test Method for Measuring Reaction Rates by Analysis of Barium-140 From Fission Dosimeters
E523 Test Method for Measuring Fast-Neutron Reaction Rates by Radioactivation of Copper
E526 Test Method for Measuring Fast-Neutron Reaction Rates by Radioactivation of Titanium
E704 Test Method for Measuring Reaction Rates by Radioactivation of Uranium-238
E705 Test Method for Measuring Reaction Rates by Radioactivation of Neptunium-237
E720 Guide for Selection and Use of Neutron Sensors for Determining Neutron Spectra Employed in Radiation-Hardness
Testing of Electronics
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E10 on Nuclear Technology and Applications and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E10.07 on
Radiation Dosimetry for Radiation Effects on Materials and Devices.
Current edition approved Feb.Nov. 1, 2007.2011. Published March 2007.November 2011. Originally approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 20012007 as
E721 – 017. DOI: 10.1520/E0721-07.10.1520/E0721-11.
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of this guide.
3
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

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E721–11
E722 Practice for Characterizing Neutron Fluence Spectra in Terms of an Equivalent Monoenergetic Neutron Fluence for
Radiation-Hardness Testing of Electronics
...