The Design and Test Results of Some High Gain Radiation Resistant Magnetic Amplifiers, Magnetic Voltage References, and Components

A number of computing and control type magnetic amplifiers, operating from 4800 and 400 cps power sources, were designed to withstand radiation levels in excess of 1015 nvt (fast neutron). They were functionally tested and continuously monitored during such a radiation exposure. The circuits incorporated features to compensate for a factor increase of 500 in diode reverse current. Half of the amplifiers used a conventional IN538 diffused silicon junction diodes and the other half used special radiation resistant, thin based, silicon junction diodes. The results show that the combination of radiation resistant rectifiers together with the experimental design techniques can provide reliable radiation resistant computing and control cirguitry for fast neutron levels approaching 1016 nvt.