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Soft Error Testing of Telecommunication Equipment Using a Compact Electron Accelerator Neutron Source
Preventing malfunctioning of telecommunication devices caused by cosmic rays
As the semiconductor devices of equipment that support telecommunication networks are becoming more intensively integrated, there is concern that the probability of soft errors caused by cosmic-ray neutrons will increase. To address this problem, we are conducting soft error tests of telecommunication devices using a compact accelerator-driven neutron source at Hokkaido University.
Research
As telecommunication devices increase in capacity and become more sophisticated, semiconductor devices are becoming more and more integrated. However, there is concern that cosmic ray neutrons may cause an increase in soft errors, such as bit information upset and operation confusion. Therefore, in collaboration with NTT, we have reproduced soft errors using a compact electron accelerator-driven neutron source to create a place to develop countermeasure technologies in advance. This enables the advance prediction of the failure rate in the natural environment, the detection of errors and verification of operational measures, which will lead to improved reliability of the equipment.
The feature of this technology is the use of a compact accelerator-driven neutron source. In the past, large-scale accelerator-based neutron sources were required, and it was difficult to secure sufficient test time and experimental space. However, through our research, we have demonstrated that it is possible to conduct sufficient tests even in a facility with a neutron intensity of several million times that in nature.Hirotaka Sato Associate Professor -
Super-hierarchical Structure Imaging Through the Combined Use of Neutrons and X-rays
Non-destructive imaging of unknown information over a wide range of scales using multi-quantum beams
Pulsed neutron transmission spectroscopy imaging is attracting attention as a method of non-destructive visualization of information that cannot be seen with other microscopic methods, and when it is combined with other quantum beams such as X-rays, it is possible to visualize information that cannot be seen with images alone.
Research
Hokkaido University’s laboratory facilities, where small accelerators are used, have a history of nearly half a century, and are attracting worldwide attention as pioneering facilities. We mainly produce pulsed neutron beams, and the transmission spectra obtained using these beams enable us to map information on crystal structure, microstructure, internal stress and temperature on a two-dimensional real image as a distribution map of the entire sample. We also use X-ray CT which can measure the three-dimensional structure of the inside of an object, and analyze the combined results from neutrons and X-ray studies to synergistically understand the interior information of an object. In the figure, shown as synergistic imaging based on information from neutrons and X-rays, information on elements that cannot be individually obtained is mapped on the inside structure shown on the X-ray CT image. X-ray CT shows the presence of wires in an Al cylinder, but when neutron information is added, we can see that each wire is a different material.
Takashi Kamiyama Professor
