Accession Number:

ADP007653

Title:

Picosecond Radiation-Induced Current Transients in Digital GaAs MESFETs,

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

NAVAL RESEARCH LAB WASHINGTON DC

Personal Author(s):

• McMorrow, Dale
• Campbell, Arthur B.
• Knudson, Alvin R.
• Weatherford, Todd R.

Report Date:

1992-05-22

Pagination or Media Count:

7.0

Abstract:

Picosecond-resolution measurements of the current transients produced when energetic ions alpha particles interact with high-speed digital GaAs MESFETs are presented. Measurements as a function of device bias and temperature reveal the presence of several different contributions to the charge-collection transients, ranging in time scale from picoseconds to microseconds. The effects of permanent radiation damage are found to degrade device performance to the extent that reliable measurement of the ion-induced transients is difficult and, in many cases, impossible. The use of above-bandgap picosecond laser excitation is revealed to be a viable alternative to the use of heavy ions for characterization of the charge-collection dynamics in semiconductor devices.

Descriptors:

• *SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
• *ELECTROOPTICS
• *FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTORS
• DAMAGE
• DYNAMICS
• EXCITATION
• FUNCTIONS
• HEAVY IONS
• IONS
• LASERS
• MEASUREMENT
• RADIATION
• RADIATION DAMAGE
• RESOLUTION
• SCALE
• SEMICONDUCTORS
• TEMPERATURE
• TIME
• TRANSIENTS
• VELOCITY
• GALLIUM ARSENIDES
• LIGHT SCATTERING
• ALPHA PARTICLES
• SYMPOSIA

Subject Categories:

• Electrical and Electronic Equipment
• Electrooptical and Optoelectronic Devices

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE