Methodology For Testing IR Detectors In Simulated Nuclear Radiation Environments

E. L. Divita; M. J. Holtzman; R. E. Mills; D. T. Walsh

doi:10.1117/12.960702

25 September 1989 Methodology For Testing IR Detectors In Simulated Nuclear Radiation Environments

E. L. Divita, M. J. Holtzman, R. E. Mills, D. T. Walsh

Proceedings Volume 1108, Test and Evaluation of Infrared Detectors and Arrays; (1989) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.960702
Event: SPIE 1989 Technical Symposium on Aerospace Sensing, 1989, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Santa Barbara Research Center has developed nuclear radiation testing methodology to measure the performance of IR. detectors in simulated total ionizing dose, transient dose rate (and flux), and neutron environments. The total dose test for IR detectors required that temperature, IR background, bias, and vacuum conditions be maintained and controlled during in-situ measurements of performance parameters; these conditions were accomplished with a specially fabricated Helitrans dewar adapted to a Cobalt-60 internal irradiator. This irradiator and dewar configuration with the appropriate portable measurement equipment allowed I-V and C-V measurements before, during and after irradiation under the same test conditions. This same portable test set was also used to measure detector performance parameters following irradiations with flash X-ray machines. The dose rate test methodology produced consistent detector response and recovery profiles from different X-ray machines at different test facilities. The transient flux test utilized portable equipment including a multichannel analyzer, pulse-shaping amplifier, and a low-noise dewar with built-in amplifier to collect the pulses caused by gamma-flux-induced charge in the detectors. This test was performed at a Cobalt-60 source range which produced a good simulation of the actual environment. The neutron fluence test used portable radiation test equipment and dewars specifically designed to minimize the induced activity expected during irradiation of the detectors for example, in a TRIGA fast-neutron reactor. In this case, the TRIGA reactor core was positioned and shielded in the pool to produce predominantly fast neutrons with an acceptably low level of reactor gammas. The general test methodology, consistent with MIL-STD-883C, provides a capability to test detectors in any ionizing or displacement nuclear radiation type.

Citation Download Citation

E. L. Divita, M. J. Holtzman, R. E. Mills, and D. T. Walsh "Methodology For Testing IR Detectors In Simulated Nuclear Radiation Environments", Proc. SPIE 1108, Test and Evaluation of Infrared Detectors and Arrays, (25 September 1989); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.960702

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