The Use of an Industrial X-Ray Source for Electronic Component Radiation Effects Work

Low energy X-ray tubes have been used as a source of ionizing radiation in various past radiation effects studies. In such studies there has not been a requirement for the absolute dose to be known, and little detail has been reported regarding the tube characteristics and the type of dosimetry employed. The use of an industrial X-ray source for space environment simulation is an attractive technique in that such a source is commonly available in aerospace and semiconductor manufacturing facilities and no special licensing or safety regulations are involved. Prior to using an X-ray source for space simulation the tube charateristics must be known, a reliable technique for dosimetry must be established, and the source must be correlated with other standard space simulation sources such as the cobalt-60 gammacell. An experimental program covering the above points is described. It results in a defined procedure which can be followed by other workers interested in the use of an industrial X-ray source as a calibrated source of ionizing radiation.