Introduction to Radiation-Resistant Semiconductor Devices and Circuits

This tutorial paper provides an overview of design considerations for semiconductor radiation detectors and electronics in high radiation environments. Problems specific to particle accelerator applications are emphasized and many of the presented results originated in extensive studies of radiation effects in large scale particle detectors for the SSC and LHC. Basic radiation damage mechanisms in semiconductor devices are described and specifically linked to electronic parameter changes in detectors, transistors and integrated circuits. Mitigation techniques are discussed and examples presented to illustrate how the choice of system architecture, circuit topology and device technology can extend the range of operation to particle fluences >10 cm and ionizing doses >100 Mrad.