Increasing the susceptability of an integrated circuit to ionizing radiation
US6794733B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 9, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 21, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 8, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S257/921
Abstract
In integrated circuit that yields the advantages of contemporary processing technologies and yet is irreparably damaged by ionizing radiation. An integrated circuit is designed and fabricated with contemporary processing technologies in well-known fashion, except that certain devices, called “safeguard” devices, are added to the integrated circuit. The safeguard devices are fabricated so that they, and not the other devices on the integrated circuit, are susceptible to ionizing radiation. Furthermore, the safeguard devices are coupled to the utile devices on the integrated circuit in such a manner than when the integrated circuit is bombarded with ionizing radiation the safeguard devices short and destroy the functionality of the utile devices, and, therefore, the functionality of the integrated circuit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.