Geant4 simulation of proton-induced single event upset in three-dimensional die-stacked SRAM device

Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation results of the single event upset(SEU) induced by protons with energy ranging from0.3 MeV to 1 GeV are reported.The SEU cross section for planar and three-dimensional(3 D) die-stacked SRAM are calculated.The results show that the SEU cross sections of the planar device and the 3 D device are different from each other under low energy proton direct ionization mechanism,but almost the same for the high energy proton.Besides,the multi-bit upset(MBU) ratio and pattern are presented and analyzed.The results indicate that the MBU ratio of the 3 D die-stacked device is higher than that of the planar device,and the MBU patterns are more complicated.Finally,the onorbit upset rate for the 3 D die-stacked device and the planar device are calculated by SPACE RADIATION software.The calculation results indicate that no matter what the orbital parameters and shielding conditions are,the on-orbit upset rate of planar device is higher than that of 3 D die-stacked device.     

重离子在14-nm FinFET SRAM器件引起的单粒子翻转

通过重离子实验研究了14-nm FinFET工艺静态随机存取存储器(SRAM)的单粒子翻转(SEU)特性。通过使用Weibull函数拟合SEU截面获得该器件的线性能量转移(LET)阈值:0.1 MeV/(mg/cm2)。对多位翻转(MBU)贡献的统计结果表明,当LET等于40.3 MeV/(mg/cm2)时,MBU的占比超过95%。此外,FinFET SRAM的SEU截面呈现出与Fin相关的入射角度的各向异性。该研究对基于FinFET工艺的抗辐射CMOS集成电路(IC)的设计具有一定的指导作用。     

静态随机存储器单粒子翻转的Monte Carlo模拟

利用蒙特卡罗(Monte Carlo)方法，对10—20MeV 中子在静态随机存储器(SRAM)中引起的单粒子翻转进行了模拟，着重对中子在SRAM 灵敏区引起的电离能量沉积进行了计算，并对中子引起单粒子翻转过程相关物理量进行了计算.这些计算模拟结果为了解10—20MeV 中子引起SRAM 单粒子翻转过程提供了详细的统计信息，为SRAM 的抗辐射加固提供相关参考信息. 关键词： SRAM单粒子翻转 Monte Carlo 模拟 能量沉积     

Dependence of single event upsets sensitivity of low energy proton on test factors in 65 nm SRAM

In order to accurately predict the single event upsets(SEU) rate of on-orbit proton, the influence of the proton energy distribution, incident angle, supply voltage, and test pattern on the height, width, and position of SEU peak of low energy protons(LEP) in 65 nm static random access memory(SRAM) are quantitatively evaluated and analyzed based on LEP testing data and Monte Carlo simulation. The results show that different initial proton energies used to degrade the beam energy will bring about the difference in the energy distribution of average proton energy at the surface and sensitive region of the device under test(DUT), which further leads to significant differences including the height of SEU peak and the threshold energy of SEU. Using the lowest initial proton energy is extremely important for SEU testing with low energy protons. The proton energy corresponding to the SEU peak shifts to higher average proton energies with the increase of the tilt angle, and the SEU peaks also increase significantly. The reduction of supply voltage lowers the critical charge of SEU, leading to the increase of LEP SEU cross section. For standard 6-transitor SRAM with bit-interleaving technology,SEU peak does not show clear dependence on three test patterns of logical checkerboard 55 H, all "1", and all "0". It should be noted that all the SEUs in 65 nm SRAM are single cell upset in LEP testing due to proton's low linear energy transfer(LET) value.     

14 nm FinFET和65 nm平面工艺静态随机存取存储器中子单粒子翻转对比

使用中国散裂中子源提供的宽能谱中子束流,开展14 nm FinFET工艺和65 nm平面工艺静态随机存取存储器中子单粒子翻转对比研究,发现相比于65 nm器件,14 nm FinFET器件的大气中子单粒子翻转截面下降至约1/40,而多位翻转比例从2.2%增大至7.6%,源于14 nm FinFET器件灵敏区尺寸(80 nm×30 nm×45 nm)、间距和临界电荷(0.05 fC)的减小.不同于65 nm器件对热中子免疫的现象,14 nm FinFET器件中M0附近10B元素的使用导致其表现出一定的热中子敏感性.进一步的中子输运仿真结果表明,高能中子在器件灵敏区中产生的大量的射程长、LET值大的高Z二次粒子是多位翻转的产生诱因,而单粒子翻转主要来自于p,He,Si等轻离子的贡献.     

随机静态存储器低能中子单粒子翻转效应

 建立了中子单粒子翻转可视化分析方法,对不同特征尺寸（0.13~1.50 μm）CMOS工艺商用随机静态存储器(SRAM)器件开展了反应堆中子单粒子翻转效应的实验研究,获得了SRAM器件的裂变谱中子单粒子翻转截面随特征尺寸变化的变化趋势。研究结果表明:SRAM器件的特征尺寸越小,其对低能中子导致的单粒子翻转的敏感性越高。     

深亚微米SRAM质子单粒子翻转实验研究

宇航半导体器件运行在一个复杂的空间辐射环境中,质子是空间辐射环境中粒子的重要组成部分,因而质子在半导体器件中导致的辐射效应一直受到国内外的关注。利用兰州重离子加速器(Heavy Ion Research Facility In Lanzhou) 加速出的H2 分子打靶产生能量为10 MeV 的质子,研究了特征尺寸为0.5/0.35/0.15 μm体硅和绝缘体上硅(SOI) 工艺静态随机存储器(SRAM) 的质子单粒子翻转敏感性,这也是首次在该装置上开展的质子单粒子翻转实验研究。实验结果表明特征尺寸为亚微米的SOI 工艺SRAM器件对质子单粒子翻转不敏感,但随着器件特征尺寸的减小和工作电压的降低,SOI 工艺SRAM器件对质子单粒子翻转越来越敏感;特征尺寸为深亚微米的体硅工艺SRAM器件单粒子翻转截面随入射质子能量变化明显,存在发生翻转的质子能量阈值,CREME-MC模拟结果表明质子在深亚微米的体硅工艺SRAM器件中通过质子核反应导致单粒子翻转。Microelectronic devices are used in a harsh radiation environment for space missions. Among all the reliability issues concerned, proton induced single event upset (SEU) is becoming more and more noticeable for semiconductor components exposed on space. In this work, an experimental research of SEU induced by 10 MeV proton for static random access memory (SRAM) of 0.5, 0.35 and 0.15 m feature size is carried out on HeavyIon Research Facility in Lanzhou for the rst time. The experimental results show that proton induced SEUs in submicron and deep-submicron (SRAMs) are dominated by secondary ions generated by proton nuclear reaction events. The silicon-on-insulator SRAMs characters natural radiation-hardened SEU by proton. For the deep-submicron bulk-silicon technology SRAM, the proton SEU cross section is closely related to the proton energy and there is a threshold energy for the SEU occurrence by proton indirect ionization. CREME-MC simulation indicates that the SEU events in deep-submicron SRAM are induced by the proton nuclear reaction.     

中子单粒子效应TCAD仿真

分析了核裂变与聚变情况下,典型能量的中子与半导体器件反应,所产生的次级粒子及其能谱分布。根据中子所能导致的最恶劣情况,讨论了65nm工艺尺寸下,半导体静态存储器的单粒子效应,并给出了TCAD仿真的结果。结果显示,商用6管单元难以避免中子单粒子效应的发生。双互锁存储单元(DICE)结构在高密度设计时,也由于电荷共享效应,发生了单粒子翻转。由于电荷共享效应难以用SPICE仿真的方法得到,TCAD仿真更适用于中子单粒子免疫的SRAM设计验证。最后,讨论了65nm工艺下,中子单粒子免疫的SRAM设计,指出6管单元加电容的方式,可能是更有竞争力的方案。     

Simulation of the characteristics of low-energy proton induced single event upset

Monte Carlo simulation results are reported on the single event upset (SEU) triggered by the direct ionization effect of low-energy proton. The SEU cross-sections on the 45 nm static random access memory (SRAM) were compared with previous research work, which not only validated the simulation approach used herein, but also exposed the existence of saturated cross-section and the multiple bit upsets (MBUs) when the incident energy was less than 1 MeV. Additionally, it was observed that the saturated cross-section and MBUs are involved with energy loss and critical charge. The amount of deposited charge and the distribution with respect to the critical charge as the supplemental evidence are discussed.     

Impact of incident direction on neutron-induced single-bit and multiple-cell upsets in 14 nm FinFET and 65 nm planar SRAMs

Based on the BL09 terminal of China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS), single event upset (SEU) cross sections of 14 nm fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) and 65 nm quad data rate (QDR) static random-access memories (SRAMs) are obtained under different incident directions of neutrons: front, back and side. It is found that, for both technology nodes, the "worst direction" corresponds to the case that neutrons traverse package and metallization before reaching the sensitive volume. The SEU cross section under the worst direction is 1.7-4.7 times higher than those under other incident directions. While for multiple-cell upset (MCU) sensitivity, side incidence is the worst direction, with the highest MCU ratio. The largest MCU for the 14 nm FinFET SRAM involves 8 bits. Monte-Carlo simulations are further performed to reveal the characteristics of neutron induced secondary ions and understand the inner mechanisms.     

重离子产生δ电子对SRAM单粒子翻转的影响

随着微电子器件集成度增加,由入射离子在器件灵敏区内引起的δ电子分布对器件单粒子效应的影响越来越显著;尤其是它极易引发多位翻转,严重影响设计加固的有效性。首先利用蒙特卡罗软件包Geant4模拟得到重离子在器件灵敏区内产生的δ电子分布,分析得出以下规律:入射离子单核能越高,其产生δ电子分布的径向范围越大;单核能相同的不同种离子,原子序数越大其产生的δ电子密度越大。其次,通过模拟一款45 nm静态随机存储器的单粒子翻转效应,说明δ电子和灵敏区分布共同影响器件的多位翻转。当器件灵敏区间距一定时,多位翻转率随入射离子能量的升高先上升后下降;在多位翻转率峰值和布喇格峰之间,多位翻转率随入射离子线性能量传输(LET)值的升高而降低,在该区域两侧多位翻转率随离子LET值的升高而升高。     

重离子微束单粒子翻转与单粒子烧毁效应数值模拟

用束径0.4μm的微束重离子数值模拟了单粒子翻转SEU和单粒子烧毁效应SEB.单粒子翻转给出了不同离子注入后漏区的电压(电流)随时间变化规律;计算了CMOSSRAM电路的单粒子翻转;给出了收集电荷随LET值的变化曲线并给出了某一结构器件的临界电荷;VDMOS器件单粒子烧毁给出了不同时刻沿离子径迹场强、电位线、电流和碰撞离化率的变化.     

纳米静态随机存储器低能质子单粒子翻转敏感性研究

针对65, 90, 250 nm三种不同特征尺寸的静态随机存储器基于国内和国外质子加速器试验平台, 获取了从低能到高能完整的质子单粒子翻转截面曲线. 试验结果表明, 对于纳米器件1 MeV以下低能质子所引起的单粒子翻转截面比高能质子单粒子翻转饱和截面最高可达3个数量级. 采用基于试验数据和器件信息相结合的方法, 构建了较为精确的复合灵敏体积几何结构模型, 在此基础上采用蒙特卡罗方法揭示了低能质子穿过多层金属布线层, 由于能量岐离使展宽能谱处于布拉格峰值的附近, 通过直接电离方式将能量集中沉积在灵敏体积内, 是导致单粒子翻转截面峰值的根本原因. 并针对某一轨道环境预估了低能质子对空间质子单粒子翻转率的贡献.     

Prompt fission neutron spectra of n+~(235)U above the(n,nf) fission threshold

Calculations of prompt fission neutron spectra(PFNS) from the235U(n, f) reaction were performed with a semi-empirical method for E n = 7.0 and 14.7 Me V neutron energies. The total PFNS were obtained as a superposition of(n,xnf) pre-fission neutron spectra and post-fission spectra of neutrons which were evaporated from fission fragments, and these two kinds of spectra were taken as an expression of the evaporation spectrum.The contributions of(n,xnf) fission neutron spectra on the calculated PFNS were discussed. The results show that emission of one or two neutrons in the(n,nf) or(n,2nf) reactions influences the PFNS shape, and the neutron spectra of the(n,xnf) fission-channel are soft compared with the neutron spectra of the(n,f) fission channel. In addition,analysis of the multiple-chance fission component showed that second-chance fission dominates the PFNS with an incident neutron energy of 14.7 Me V whereas first-chance fission dominates the 7 Me V case.     

10—20MeV中子引起单粒子翻转能量沉积统计分析

基于Monte Carlo计算模拟, 对10—20MeV中子引起存储器单粒子翻转能量沉积进行了统计分析, 为了解单粒子翻转随机过程提供能量沉积统计信息.     

The impact of scaling on single event upset in 6T and 12T SRAMs from 130 to 22 nm CMOS technology

ABSTRACT

As transistor sizes scale down to nanometres dimensions, CMOS circuits become more sensitive to radiation. High-performance static random access memory (SRAM) cells are prone to radiation-induced single event upsets (SEU) which come from the natural space environment. The SEU generates a soft error in the transistor due to the strike of an ionizing particle. Thus, this paper compares the endurance of 12T SRAM and 6T SRAM circuit on 130 up to 22?nm CMOS technology towards SEU. Besides that, this paper discusses the trend of critical linear energy transfer (LET) and collected charge due to technology scaling for the respective circuit. The critical LET (LETcrit) and critical charge (Qcrit) of 6T are approximately 50% lower compared with 12T SRAMs.     

Pattern dependence in synergistic effects of total dose on single-event upset hardness

The pattern dependence in synergistic effects was studied in a 0.18 μm static random access memory(SRAM) circuit.Experiments were performed under two SEU test environments:3 Me V protons and heavy ions.Measured results show different trends.In heavy ion SEU test,the degradation in the peripheral circuitry also existed because the measured SEU cross section decreased regardless of the patterns written to the SRAM array.TCAD simulation was performed.TIDinduced degradation in n MOSFETs mainly induced the imprint effect in the SRAM cell,which is consistent with the measured results under the proton environment,but cannot explain the phenomena observed under heavy ion environment.A possible explanation could be the contribution from the radiation-induced GIDL in pMOSFETs.     

静态随机存储器单粒子翻转效应三维数值模拟

针对特征尺寸为1.5 μm的国产静态随机存储器（SRAM）,构建了三维SRAM存储单元模型,并对重离子引起的SRAM单粒子翻转效应进行了数值模拟.计算并分析了单粒子引起的单粒子翻转和电荷收集的物理图像,得到了SRAM器件的单粒子翻转截面曲线.单粒子翻转的数值模拟结果与重离子微束、重离子宽束实验结果比较一致,表明所建立的三维器件模型可以用来研究SRAM器件的单粒子翻转效应. 关键词： 三维数值模拟 单粒子翻转 微束 宽束     

Neutron spectrometry and determination of neutron ambient dose equivalents in different LINAC radiotherapy rooms

A project has been set up to study the effect on a radiotherapy patient of the neutrons produced around the LINAC accelerator head by photonuclear reactions induced by photons above ～8 MeV. These neutrons may reach directly the patient, or they may interact with the surrounding materials until they become thermalised, scattering all over the treatment room and affecting the patient as well, contributing to peripheral dose. Spectrometry was performed with a calibrated and validated set of Bonner spheres at a point located at 50 cm from the isocenter, as well as at the place where a digital device for measuring neutrons, based on the upset of SRAM memories induced by thermal neutrons, is located inside the treatment room. Exposures have taken place in six LINAC accelerators with different energies (from 15 to 23 MV) with the aim of relating the spectrometer measurements with the readings of the digital device under various exposure and room geometry conditions. The final purpose of the project is to be able to relate, under any given treatment condition and room geometry, the readings of this digital device to patient neutron effective dose and peripheral dose in organs of interest. This would allow inferring the probability of developing second malignancies as a consequence of the treatment. Results indicate that unit neutron fluence spectra at 50 cm from the isocenter do not depend on accelerator characteristics, while spectra at the place of the digital device are strongly influenced by the treatment room geometry.