The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) has officially partnered with SK Hynix to enhance the assessment of radiation effects on semiconductors, marking the first collaboration between a domestic nuclear research institution and SK Hynix.
On July 28, KAERI announced that it signed a mutual cooperation agreement with SK Hynix at the Proton Science Research Center in Gyeongju.
In high-altitude environments, such as outer space or during flight, the atmosphere and magnetic fields provide limited protection against cosmic radiation, which can cause malfunctions or damage to semiconductors. Therefore, radiation resistance testing is essential for semiconductors used in mobile devices like cars and satellites. The Gyeongju Proton Accelerator is a leading facility for simulating and evaluating the effects of cosmic and atmospheric radiation on semiconductors, serving as a critical tool for pre-testing radiation resistance before sending semiconductors into space.
The two organizations have collaborated since 2018, utilizing the Gyeongju Proton Accelerator for nearly eight years. SK Hynix has conducted radiation impact assessments on its semiconductor devices using KAERI's proton and neutron beams. Recently, the validated semiconductor devices were included in the E3T 2, a domestic component verification satellite set to launch with the Nuri rocket, to test their operational stability and performance in actual space conditions.
This agreement will facilitate joint research on the shared use of proton and neutron beam time at the proton accelerator and research reactor 'Hanaro,' as well as the development of high-energy proton, electron, gamma-ray, and neutron beam applications to simulate atmospheric and cosmic radiation environments.
However, domestic companies have historically relied on overseas facilities for high-performance testing. To address the demand for high-energy testing in the semiconductor and space sectors, KAERI is currently conducting preliminary research and development to explore the potential for upgrading its 100 MeV proton accelerator to a 200 MeV level. If successful, this upgrade could enable some high-energy tests to be conducted domestically, reducing costs and time while minimizing the risk of technology leakage.
Im In-cheol, acting president of KAERI, stated, "This agreement marks the beginning of advancing semiconductor radiation reliability assessment technology by combining the research capabilities of a national large-scale research facility with a world-class semiconductor company. We will actively utilize KAERI's advanced research facilities, such as the proton accelerator and Hanaro, to elevate the technological competitiveness of the domestic semiconductor and space industries to the highest global standards."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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