Comparison of experimental measurements of power MOSFET SEBs in dynamic and static modes

A study to determine the single-event burnouts (SEBs) sensitivity for burnout of IRF-150 power MOSFETS in both static and dynamic modes in terms of LET threshold and cross section is described. The dynamic tests were conducted with a power converter which was designed for actual space application. The results were compared with static measurements which were made during the exposure to the heavy ions. The data showed that the dynamic mode was less sensitive than the static by two orders of magnitude in cross section. It was also observed that ions with a range less than 30 microns did not produce destructive burnout in the dynamic mode even when their LET exceeded the threshold value. The extent of physical MOSFET damage in the destructive, dynamic tests appeared to correlate with the ion LET and source-drain voltage.>