
Welcome to the Proton Irradiation Facility (PIF)
Introduction
Under the contract between European Space Agency (ESA) and
the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) the Proton Irradiation Facility (PIF)
was constructed for testing of spacecraft components.
The facility is designed in a user friendly manner and is commonly
available. It enables generating of realistic proton spectra encountered
at any potential orbit in space. PIF is a member of the ESA supported
European Component Irradiation Facilities (ECIF)
Space Radiation - Demand for ground tests
The proton environment in space can have a detrimental effect on semiconductor
components and other materials used in spacecraft. The ability to simulate
this environment on earth enables projects to take this hazard into consideration in
the design stage. Depending on the spacecraft orbit and duration the spectra will
differ and one of the principal advantages of the PIF is its ability to reproduce them.
The PIF has been originally implemented to investigate:
- Radiation hardness of the new electronic products
- Single Event Upsets (SEU) and Latch-ups (SEL) of electronic components
- Properties of radiation monitors for space and laboratory applications
- Basic mechanics of radiation effects in semiconductors
- Space radiation environment by on-earth simulations
User Lab Leading Features
The facility allows conducting research on radiation induced effects in electronics
and devices. It not only enables experiments with realistic space proton environment but
also provides mono-energetic beams for radiation hardness tests of materials.
PIF is used extensively by the space community as well as by research teams
in other disciplines. Our long-term experience with industries and space agencies
provides extra benefits in field of applied science and technology. Several experiments in
physics as well as testing and calibrating of modern particle detectors and radiation monitors
have been already performed. A wide range of applications is feasible due to elementary
design aspects assuring:
Short-duration experiments require only an irradiation request and order. Longer ones need an approval by the Cyclotron Research Committee and PSI Technology Transfer Office.
- Broad range of energies and intensities of the proton beam
- Experiment adaptable monitoring of flux and dose
- Fast and uncomplicated experimental setup
- Transparent operating procedure
- User friendly data acquisition system
- Flexibility towards customers needs
Short-duration experiments require only an irradiation request and order. Longer ones need an approval by the Cyclotron Research Committee and PSI Technology Transfer Office.