A new method for using (252)Cf in SEU testing SRAM

A system using (252)Cf and associated nuclear instrumentation has determined the single-event upset (SEU) cross section versus linear energy transfer (LET) curve for several 2 Kx8 static random access memories (SRAMs). The (252)Cf fission fragments pass through a thin-film organic scintillator detector (TFD) on the way to the device under test (DUT). The TFD provides energy information for each transiting fragment. Data analysis provides the energy of the individual ion responsible for each SEU; thus, separate upset cross sections can be developed for different energy and mass regions of the californium spectrum. This californium-based device is quite small and fits onto a bench top. It provides a convenient and inexpensive supplement or alternative to accelerator and high-altitude/space SEU testing