Some services are conducted within the operational headquarters in Perugia, while others take place in various external laboratories, both in Italy and Europe, with guidelines and technical tools designed and implemented by BEAMIDE to acquire the necessary verification data.
The tests performed involve both active and passive irradiation techniques. In the first case, the device under examination is powered and made fully or partially operational during irradiation, allowing for real-time observation and recording of the effects of radiation exposure.
On the other hand, passive irradiation is conducted when the object being tested is not an electronic device or does not require power.
In Dresden, there is an advanced facility equipped with two distinct beams, which can be used for electron irradiation of materials and devices under controlled conditions. The facility has been adapted to perform irradiations on solar cells, optics, and polymers, following ECSS/ESA procedures and requirements (unpacking/packaging, handling, irradiation, monitoring, etc.). Initial work was carried out with the support of two ESA contracts and the SMART-FLEX project. Currently, the site is also utilized for irradiations under the ESA ARTES program.
B. Alpat, G. Bartolini et al.
In collaboration with the ENEA-Frascati laboratories, we have developed a compact UV irradiation system to irradiate a set of nano-hybrid polyamide film samples for up to 3000 equivalent solar hours. The initial work was carried out with the support of ESA contracts and the SMART-FLEX project
The samples are placed at the bottom of a cylindrical irradiation chamber, which is closed by a quartz window. Above the window, there is a Helios Quartz mercury lamp. After degassing (vacuum at 10^-5 mbar), the chamber is filled with 1.1 bar of static He, which allows for adequate heat distribution during irradiation to keep the substrate temperature below 40 °C. Throughout the irradiation period, the setup includes: air and water cooling systems, UV and visible light detectors, a temperature data acquisition system, and a webcam for real-time remote monitoring of the main experimental parameters.
To simulate the effects of plasma charging, we have developed and implemented an alternative method to test small samples for space applications using 20 keV electrons from a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Normally, the focal spot size of a SEM is a few nanometers, which implies a very high current density, corresponding to an electron flux significantly higher than that required by ECSS/ESA standards. The equipment has been optimized to achieve a wide scanning surface for the electron beam by positioning the working point several centimeters below the focal point. We measured the flux on the surface of a sample positioned at the working point using a gafchromic film and analyzed it in a 3D image that shows the beam profile obtained with parameters as required by the testing standard. This technique can be employed in most SEMs with beam energies up to several tens of keV.
In addition to the sites listed above, BEAMIDE also has access to other irradiation sites that can be made available to clients.
Facilities with heavy ion beams, useful for SEE and DD studies, provide both light and heavy ion beams, with the capability to test superficial LET values ranging from a few MeV up to 60 MeV/mg/cm². The ion flux, silicon range, and beam uniformity comply with ECSS/ESA standards.
At these sites, we can conduct proton irradiations ranging from 0.03 MeV to 50 MeV, with particle fluxes ranging from a single particle up to approximately 10¹³ particles/(cm²·s). The beam parameters and performance comply with ECSS/ESA standards.
BEAMIDE has access to numerous irradiation sites with Co60 gamma rays. The available dose rates range from ELDRS values (0.5 to 10 mrad(Si)/s) up to industrial dose values of 10 kGy/h and total dose (TID) values of 15 MGy. It is possible to irradiate both a single IC component and a pallet of approximately 500 kg.
The Frascati Neutron Generator (FNG) at the ENEA Frascati laboratories can provide accurately measured fast neutron fluxes of up to 5∙10⁹ n/(cm²·s). It produces up to 10¹¹ n/s of neutrons at 14 MeV in continuous or pulsed mode (minimum pulse duration of 6 μs). The FNG can also produce 2.5 MeV neutrons using deuterated targets through the D(d,n)³He fusion reaction, with a maximum neutron flux of 5∙10⁷ n/(cm²·s) in continuous or pulsed mode.
The set-up allows irradiation with atomic oxygen.
The flux is calibrated according to ASTM classification E 2089-15 (2020). The samples are weighed with microgram-level sensitivity after a drying process to remove any residual moisture and before exposure to atomic oxygen. The specimen is positioned at a distance of approximately 20 cm, and the irradiation is carried out with temperature variations ranging from –100 °C to +150 °C.
Here are some of the questions we are most often asked: if you do not find the answer you are looking for, do not hesitate to contact us directly: we are ready to provide you with the information and support you need.
BEAMIDE provides thermal and thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing services. Our local TVAC setup can operate within a temperature range of -70/+180°C and down to a vacuum pressure of 10⁻⁷ mbar. The company also offers humidity testing, with temperature ranges from +10 to +95°C and relative humidity between 10% and 98%, along with other thermal tests with temperature ranges up to -200/+200°C.
Below is the combined list of ESA standards related to irradiation tests, exposure, thermo-vacuum, and RHA: these standards ensure that the materials and components used in space missions can withstand the extreme conditions of space and the effects of radiation.
You can find further details and official documents on the ECSS website.
ECSS-Q-ST-70-04C: Defines the requirements for thermo-vacuum cycling tests for materials, processes, and components intended for space vehicles. This test verifies resistance to temperature changes under vacuum (ECSS).
ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C: Describes a thermal vacuum test to determine the outgassing properties of materials. Includes design parameters, sample preparation, and acceptance criteria (ECSS).
ECSS-E-ST-10-04C: Provides design requirements for space equipment subject to irradiation testing, including total dose levels and requirements for electronic equipment (ECSS).
ECSS-E-ST-20-08C: Covers displacement damage testing for solar cells and other components sensitive to space radiation (ECSS).
ECSS-Q-ST-60-15C: Specifies the requirements for radiation hardness assurance of space products, including qualification tests and performance evaluation under radiation exposure (ESCIES).
ESCC 22900: Used for radiation testing on electronic components, for qualification and assurance of radiation hardness (ESCIES).
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