Overview of Services

At Seibersdorf Laboratories, we provide a full suite of Displacement Damage (DD) testing services designed to deliver high-quality, traceable, and actionable data to support your component qualification, design validation, and reliability assurance programs. 

A successful DD campaign starts long before irradiation. Our experienced team collaborates closely with you to:

• Define radiation damage objectives aligned with mission or operational profiles
• Develop custom test fixtures and DUT (Device Under Test) configurations
• Establish electrical biasing, temperature conditions, and measurement protocols
• Prepare robust test plans that reflect your reliability and qualification goals 

We take pride in managing these preparatory phases in-house, ensuring high fidelity between your technical requirements and the subsequent irradiation execution. 

For the controlled delivery of displacement damage, we coordinate testing at strategically selected partner irradiation facilities equipped with:

• Proton beams that produce displacement damage through Coulombic and nuclear interactions
• Neutron sources that generate atom displacements without significant ionization dose

This enables a realistic reproduction of particle types and energies relevant to:

• Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and planetary missions
• Nuclear research and power systems
• Aerospace and defense environments
• High-reliability terrestrial applications 

We manage the coordination of beam time, DUT preparation, and logistics so that you benefit from seamless test execution with consistent quality assurance across facilities. 

Our DD testing framework adheres to internationally recognized standards, ensuring your data is reliable, comparable, and qualification-ready:

• ESCC 22500 – Displacement Damage Irradiation Test Guidelines (primary scope for proton/neutron DD) 
• MIL-STD-883, Method 1017 – Neutron Irradiation for Microelectronic Devices 

These standards define critical aspects of a DD campaign such as fluence levels, energy spectra, electrical measurement protocols, test environment conditions, and documentation practices. Adherence to these ensures that your results are robust and compatible with space, defense, and industrial qualification frameworks. 

Our DD testing services deliver:

Quantitative Assessment of Device Degradation

We measure key parameters such as:

• Gain and responsivity loss in photonic and optoelectronic devices
• Leakage and noise increases in analog circuits
• Threshold shifts in semiconductor junctions
• Parameter drift in sensors and detector systems 

These measurements reveal how displacement damage impacts device behavior and allow you to:

• Predict performance over operational lifetime
• Validate design margins and derating strategies
• Benchmark part selection for radiation tolerance
• Feed data into reliability and lifetime models 

Displacement Damage testing is essential when your system must operate reliably in:

Space Electronics
Protons and cosmic neutrons can drive displacement damage in:

• Solar cells and imaging sensors
• Transceivers and power electronics
• Mixed-signal circuits
  Ensuring these components meet mission lifetime requirements is key for satellites and deep-space probes.

Nuclear Systems
Neutron flux in reactor environments can degrade control, safety, and monitoring electronics. DD testing provides insight into how systems will age under long-term exposure.

Semiconductor Manufacturing
As device nodes shrink and transistors become more susceptible to structural disruptions, DD data informs process choices, mitigation designs, and radiation risk assessments.

Aerospace & Defense
High-altitude avionics and defense platforms encounter displacement damage mechanisms that can compromise signal integrity or sensor performance without mitigation.

Our DD testing service includes:

1. Tailored Test Planning
   We begin with a technical consultation to capture your objectives, application environment, and expected radiation profile.
    
2. Test Setup Development and Qualification
   Custom fixtures, biasing schemes, and environmental controls are designed in-house to fit your test plan.
    
3. Controlled Irradiation Execution
   Using partner facility beam time, we expose DUTs to defined displacement damage doses with precise fluence and energy distribution.
    
4. Electrical & Functional Characterization
   Post-irradiation measurements are conducted to track parameter shifts and identify failure modes.
    
5. Comprehensive Reporting
   Actionable results are delivered in a detailed test report, including:
   • Test conditions, particle energy spectra, and fluence data
   • Pre/post irradiation parameter comparison
   • Correlation with applicable standards and qualification criteria

Displacement Damage is one of the key radiation effects that can silently undermine electronic performance. At Seibersdorf Laboratories, our expertise, meticulous preparation, and commitment to standards compliance ensure that your DD testing supports:

• Accurate prediction of operational performance
• Risk-informed design decisions
• Qualification evidence for mission assurance
• Integration into broader RHA strategies 

We serve clients across space, nuclear, aerospace, industrial, and semiconductor sectors — delivering results that help you engineer with confidence in radiation-challenging environments. 

Single Event Effects occur when a single energetic particle — most commonly a heavy ion or high-energy proton — deposits charge as it traverses a semiconductor. The deposited charge can disturb logic states, trigger latch-ups, or cause transients that interrupt normal operation. SEE mechanisms include:

• Single Event Upset (SEU): Data corruption or bit flips
• Single Event Latch-up (SEL): Destructive current states
• Single Event Transient (SET): Temporary signal disturbances
• Single Event Functional Interrupt (SEFI): System level resets or hang-ups

Understanding and quantifying these effects using controlled testing is essential to support soft error rate (SER) estimation, mitigation strategy design, and system-level reliability validation. 

1. Heavy Ion SEE Testing

Heavy ion testing using high-energy particle beams remains the gold standard for evaluating single event effects in semiconductor devices. At Seibersdorf Laboratories, we manage and execute heavy ion SEE testing with the following capabilities:

• Access to partner irradiation facilities equipped with heavy ion and proton beams tailored to generate a wide range of Linear Energy Transfer (LET) values.
• Cross-section measurement and rate prediction for SEU, SEL, and SET mechanisms as functions of LET and particle fluence.
• Standards-aligned protocols based on ESCC, JEDEC, and MIL-STD frameworks.

These campaigns provide the quantitative data you need to estimate in-orbit or in-field event rates, support design mitigation decisions, and validate reliability claims. 

Our heavy ion SEE testing procedures are aligned with internationally recognized standards, including:

• ESCC Basic Specification No. 25100 — Single Event Effects Test Methods and Guidelines
• EIA/JEDEC EIA/JES57 & JESD89 — Measuring and Reporting Single Event Effects in Semiconductor Devices
• MIL-STD-750, Procedure 1080 — Single Event Burnout (SEB) and Single Event Gate Rupture (SEGR) testing

Standards alignment ensures that your SEE test data is defensible, comparable, and suitable for qualification documentation across aerospace, defense, and industrial qualification frameworks. 

In addition to traditional accelerator-based particle testing, we offer SEE laser testing — a versatile and efficient method for stimulating single event effects with precise spatial and temporal control. Laser-induced testing plays a key role in modern RHA because it:

• Simulates ionizing interactions at specific locations within semiconductor structures using pulsed high-energy lasers.
• Provides high spatial resolution SEE mapping to identify vulnerable circuit nodes.
• Enables rapid design-level screening and fault localization without the need for accelerator scheduling.
• Offers fast turnaround and development times for early prototype evaluation. 

Laser pulses are directed at defined regions within the Device Under Test (DUT), generating localized charge carriers that mimic the effects of energetic particles. The resulting transient responses are captured and analyzed to reveal SEE susceptibility:

• Preparation: DUTs are mounted and positioned for laser access.
• Pulse Generation: Laser system creates short, high-energy pulses with precise intensity control.
• Irradiation & Monitoring: Pulses are applied at target locations; sensitive events (SEU, SEL, SET) are detected in real time.
• Analysis: Spatial mapping and temporal analysis yield insights into the physical locations and mechanisms of SEE vulnerabilities. 

Laser SEE testing complements heavy ion testing by offering high accessibility, rapid feedback, and detailed vulnerability mapping, reducing development risk and accelerating qualification loops. 

Our commitment to quality begins with in-house test preparation:

• Custom test setups tailored to your specific devices, biasing conditions, and measurement needs.
• Expert collaboration with your engineering teams to align test protocols with your technical and qualification goals.
• Implementation of high-performance detection systems based on FPGA architectures providing nanosecond-scale event capture, configurable to your application. 

We provide flexible SEE testing solutions that meet the needs of diverse industries and use cases:

• Aerospace & Space Electronics: 
  Validate soft error rates for mission profiles and orbit radiation environments.
   
• Defense & Avionics: 
  Assess latch-up robustness for safety-critical systems.
   
• Semiconductor Manufacturers:
  Generate SEE sensitivity data for new process nodes and product lines.
   
• Industrial & Automotive:
  Quantify transient event susceptibility in high-reliability systems subject to terrestrial cosmic rays or mixed radiation fields. 

Our goal is to deliver accurate, actionable data that informs design decisions, enhances mitigation strategies, and ensures your products meet reliability expectations in radiation-rich environments. 

When you engage Seibersdorf Laboratories for SEE testing, you benefit from:

• Actionable SEE Data
  Quantitative cross-section curves, event rates, and LET response plots that support risk assessment and mitigation planning.
   
• Soft Error Rate (SER) Estimation
  Reliable SER models based on heavy ion and laser data, tailored to your environmental profiles.
   
• Functional Reliability Insights
  Identification of vulnerable nodes and failure modes that inform architectural and design-for-reliability decisions.
   
• Standards-Ready Reporting
  Comprehensive reports aligned with ESCC, JEDEC, and MIL-STD criteria, suitable for qualification reviews, audits, and customer documentation.

At Seibersdorf Laboratories, our SEE testing services are engineered to help your team design, qualify, and deliver robust electronics capable of enduring transient radiation effects. With deep expertise, flexible methodologies, and standards-compliant procedures, we are your trusted partner in addressing the challenges of single event effects across mission-critical applications. 

Contact us today to discuss your SEE testing needs, explore laser vs. heavy ion strategies, and obtain a tailored test plan that aligns with your product goals and qualification requirements.

Simulations allow you to:

• Predict radiation energy deposition and secondary particle cascades inside complex geometries.
• Evaluate shielding effectiveness across layered materials and structural layouts.
• Generate mission-relevant environmental spectra that feed directly into test plans.
• Reduce the number of costly experimental iterations by guiding test parameter selection.
• Validate ground test assumptions against realistic orbital or operational conditions.

By integrating simulation early in your design and RHA process, you gain visibility into radiation effects before hardware is built, and you align your analysis with qualification needs and standards. 

Understanding the intricacies of the space radiation environment is paramount for the success of space missions and the reliability of electronic components and systems operating in space. At Seibersdorf Laboratories, we offer comprehensive services to define and analyze the space radiation environment, ensuring that your projects are equipped to withstand the challenges of space radiation.

Our space radiation environment definition services adhere to industry-standard guidelines, including ECSS-E-ST-10-04 (Space environment) and ECSS-E-ST-10-12 ​​​​​​​(Methods for the calculation of radiation received and its effects, and a policy for design margins). These standards provide a framework for assessing the space radiation environment and establishing design margins to mitigate radiation effects on spacecraft and payloads.

We conduct thorough radiation environment analyses tailored to the specific requirements of your space mission. Our services include:

• Determination of the radiation environment for the given orbit and mission duration.
• Consideration of dominant radiation contributions, such as solar radiation, cosmic radiation, and radiation in the Earth's magnetic field.
• Utilization of models that comply with the guidelines of ESA ECSS standards to ensure accuracy and reliability.

World map of trapped proton (left) and trapped electron (right) flux at a typical 550 km LEO orbit simulated with SPENVIS in compliance with ECSS standard models.

Based on the fluxes and fluences derived for various radiation contributions, we perform detailed analyses to assess the impact of space radiation on your mission. Our analyses include:

• Total Ionizing Dose (TID) as a function of shielding depth: 
  Evaluating the cumulative ionizing radiation dose absorbed by materials and components within the spacecraft.
   
• Total Non-Ionizing Dose (TNID) or Displacement Damage (DD) as a function of shielding depth: 
  Assessing the effects of non-ionizing radiation on spacecraft materials.
   
• Single Event Effect (SEE) analysis in the form of spacecraft-shielded Linear Energy Transfer (LET) spectra:
  Characterizing single radiation events on electronic components within the spacecraft.

Our team of radiation experts provides expert guidance and insights throughout the space radiation environment definition process. We work closely with clients to interpret analysis results, identify potential risks, and develop mitigation strategies to enhance mission success and ensure the reliability of space systems.

With Seibersdorf Laboratories as your partner, you can trust our expertise and commitment to excellence in defining and analyzing the space radiation environment for your space missions. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can support your next venture into space.

Simulation at Seibersdorf Laboratories leverages state-of-the-art radiation transport codes — the same class of tools trusted by space agencies, research laboratories, and aerospace integrators worldwide. 

GEANT4 (Geometry And Tracking 4) is a powerful, object-oriented Monte Carlo toolkit widely used for high-fidelity simulation of particles (photons, electrons, protons, heavy ions, neutrons) interacting with matter. It supports:

• Accurate propagation through 3D geometries
• Physics models for electromagnetic and hadronic interactions
• Customizable physics lists for space, medical, and high-energy applications
• Detailed output on energy deposition, secondary particle distributions, and dose maps 

We use GEANT4 to model scenarios such as shielding penetration, secondary cascade effects, fluence and dose deposition in electronics, and mission-specific environmental exposures.

The FLUKA code complements GEANT4 by offering alternative hadronic models and optimized simulations of complex radiation fields, particularly when benchmarking or extending high-energy physics scenarios. Its integration ensures broader confidence in model predictions and sensitivity analyses. 

Radiation Hardness Assurance goes beyond running tests — it’s about understanding how radiation interacts with your specific design, how test results relate to real operational environments, and how to make informed engineering and program decisions based on that understanding. Consulting helps you:

• Define a mission-aligned test strategy
• Interpret complex radiation test results
• Clarify compliance with ECSS, ESCC, MIL-STD, and other standards
• Plan mitigation strategies that reduce risk and cost
• Navigate qualification roadmaps from components to systems 

Our consulting services are built on decades of hands-on RHA experience and a deep understanding of both experimental and numerical methods used across industries. 

Personalized RHA Guidance & Strategy

We start by listening — understanding your application, risk profile, mission requirements, and schedule constraints — then tailor our recommendations to your project needs. Whether you are exploring a new qualification path or refining an existing one, we provide structured guidance that aligns with your goals. 

We help you with:

• Clarifying which radiation effects matter most for your application
• Prioritizing tests and analysis based on mission risk and exposure
• Aligning test strategies with client-specific performance objectives

A well-structured test plan is a foundation for qualified results and confident decisions.

Our support includes:

• Establishing clear test objectives based on your mission and system requirements
• Defining radiation environments, dose and fluence profiles, and thresholds
• Outlining execution steps, including sequencing, bias conditions, and acceptance criteria
• Linking test plans to standards and qualifying bodies (e.g., ESA, aerospace primes) 

With expert test plan definition, you avoid unnecessary cycles, improve test relevance, and focus resources where they deliver value most.

Radiation test outputs — TID curves, SEE cross-sections, parameter drift plots — contain rich technical data that can be difficult to interpret, especially when decisions have real program impact.

Our experts help you:

• Decode test outputs and parameter trends
• Relate data to system-level reliability and mission risk
• Translate test findings into design recommendations
• Benchmark results against standards and historical performance metrics 

This service turns raw measurement data into decision-ready insights you can act upon.

Moving from component screening to system-level acceptance requires a clear roadmap.

Our services include:

• Prioritizing critical milestones
• Mapping component to subsystem and system qualification paths
• Aligning qualification activities with international standards (ECSS, ESCC, MIL-STD)
• Supporting documentation for reviews and certification boards

A well-structured qualification roadmap reduces rework, accelerates reviews, and improves your program’s overall predictability. 

International test standards and frameworks can be complex. We provide clarity on the standards that apply to your RHA program and help you navigate them confidently.

Common areas of standards guidance include:

• ECSS and ECSS-E-ST series — space engineering and radiation assurance
• ESCC Basic Specifications for TID, DD, and SEE
• MIL-STD test methods (e.g., for radiation effects)
• Reporting structures and acceptance criteria consistent with agency and prime contractor expectations

We help interpret the standards in the context of your use cases, aligning your workflow and documentation to meet technical and contractual obligations. 

At Seibersdorf Laboratories, we see consulting not as an isolated service, but as continuous partnership throughout your RHA lifecycle. From the first discussion about your requirements to final analysis, reporting, and qualification decision support, we aim to be a trusted extension of your team. 

What You Can Expect:

• Tailored and personalized guidance aligned to your technical and business needs
• Clarity in complex decision points with expert interpretation
• Support that reduces risk and accelerates project delivery
• Actionable recommendations that inform engineering and program choices

Whether you’re:

• Planning your first radiation test program,
• Evaluating ambiguous results,
• Negotiating compliance with multiple standards,
• Or defining a path to system-level acceptance —

our consulting services are designed to give you confidence and clarity at every step.

Seibersdorf Laboratories brings decades of RHA expertise, rigorous analytical capabilities, and a customer-centric approach to your project — making us your preferred partner for navigating the complexities of radiation assurance.