Mapping, Analysis and Protection of Electronic Circuits Against Radiation in the Accelerator Tunnel of the ESS

Abstract: Estimation of radiation damage to electronics is complex and requires knowledge of several disciplines. Such estimation is important in the assessment of design and construction of systems in radiatory applications. This can be used to approximate the lifetime of electronics and to develop strategies for both ensuring reliability of the equipment and for financial optimization. To understand the interaction of radiation with matter, nuclear physics and the concept of fundamental forces and cross sections has been applied. Physics of devices has been investigated in order to understand the different types of damage and errors that may occur as a consequence of irradiation. Lastly, mapping and analysis of radiation, as well as response functions of electronics, are needed to predict radiation damage. Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport Code (MCNP) has been used to calculate the gamma and neutron radiation in the front-end building of the European Spallation Source. The radiation has been characterized in terms of quantities and energy spectra. STRAM is a software tool developed in this project, for revealing the radiation absorbed by electronics. The tool folds radiation maps with response functions of electronics, thus determining the absorbed dose. Consequently, this can be used to find the optimal location of a device, should it be feasible to be chosen arbitrarily. Otherwise, necessary shielding measures or conclusions regarding other options, can be derived from the results. This report presents research regarding radiation effects on electronics as well as the capabilities of STRAM for estimation of radiation damage. STRAM demonstrates applicability in all radiatory environments, provided a radiation map is generated.