We present the set-up and performances of the TOP-IMPLART accelerator as a proton source for radiation testing of space components. The TOP-IMPLART proton accelerator is a pulsed fully linear machine aimed at active intensity modulated proton therapy with a final energy of 150 MeV under development at ENEA Frascati Research Centre. Presently the machine offers a beam extraction point on the horizontal line at 35 MeV, with a current up to 50 µA in a 3 µs long pulse and maximum repetition frequency of 50 Hz. An in-air irradiation set-up 1.8 m downstream the accelerator exit window is available with an effective beam energy of about 30 MeV, ±5% transverse homogeneity on a 40 mm diameter beam spot, and intensity repeatability within ±5%. While the proton beams main characteristics (energy, intensity, average fluence) are the same of conventional cyclotron-based cancer treatment facilities, already used for space components qualification, its time structure is significantly different, with high instantaneous dose rate. This research aims at demonstrating the possibility to use an accelerator with these characteristics for radiation hardness assurance testing. A commercial 6-axis integrated MEMS inertial navigation system (accelerometer, gyroscope) was selected as device under test. These devices could be used for example as sensors for attitude determination in University Cubesat missions. Irradiation with proton beams allows simultaneous exploration of total dose, displacement damage and some single-event effect of such components. The results of experimental tests aimed to define an operational procedure are reported: the irradiation set-up is described in detail and the characterization of radiation effect on the component is reported highlighting the consequence of the device performance degradation in terms of the overall navigation system accuracy. These results are considered a first step towards the use of the TOP-IMPLART linear accelerator as a meaningful alternative to traditional cyclotron for proper space qualification of electronic components.
Radiation testing for space applications at ENEA Frascati 35 MeV proton linear accelerator
Bazzano, G.;Ampollini, A.;Cardelli, F.;Fortini, F.;Nenzi, P.;Picardi, L.;Piersanti, L.;Ronsivalle, C.;Surrenti, V.;Trinca, E.;Vadrucci, M.;
2019-01-01
Abstract
We present the set-up and performances of the TOP-IMPLART accelerator as a proton source for radiation testing of space components. The TOP-IMPLART proton accelerator is a pulsed fully linear machine aimed at active intensity modulated proton therapy with a final energy of 150 MeV under development at ENEA Frascati Research Centre. Presently the machine offers a beam extraction point on the horizontal line at 35 MeV, with a current up to 50 µA in a 3 µs long pulse and maximum repetition frequency of 50 Hz. An in-air irradiation set-up 1.8 m downstream the accelerator exit window is available with an effective beam energy of about 30 MeV, ±5% transverse homogeneity on a 40 mm diameter beam spot, and intensity repeatability within ±5%. While the proton beams main characteristics (energy, intensity, average fluence) are the same of conventional cyclotron-based cancer treatment facilities, already used for space components qualification, its time structure is significantly different, with high instantaneous dose rate. This research aims at demonstrating the possibility to use an accelerator with these characteristics for radiation hardness assurance testing. A commercial 6-axis integrated MEMS inertial navigation system (accelerometer, gyroscope) was selected as device under test. These devices could be used for example as sensors for attitude determination in University Cubesat missions. Irradiation with proton beams allows simultaneous exploration of total dose, displacement damage and some single-event effect of such components. The results of experimental tests aimed to define an operational procedure are reported: the irradiation set-up is described in detail and the characterization of radiation effect on the component is reported highlighting the consequence of the device performance degradation in terms of the overall navigation system accuracy. These results are considered a first step towards the use of the TOP-IMPLART linear accelerator as a meaningful alternative to traditional cyclotron for proper space qualification of electronic components.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
