ChipIr neutron single-event-effects test instrument
ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, Science and Technology Facilities CouncilDidcot, Oxfordshire
ISIS describes ChipIr as an irradiation instrument dedicated to electronic devices and systems, using atmospheric-like neutrons to study the detrimental impact of single-event effects on modern technologies. Its design is optimised to mimic the atmospheric fast-neutron spectrum with intensity increased by up to 10⁹.
Reviewed by Arc · About this review
Key facts
- Electronic-device neutron irradiation
- ISIS describes ChipIr as dedicated to irradiation of electronic devices and systems using atmospheric-like neutrons to study detrimental single-event effects on modern technologies.
- Published instrument design aim
- The instrument page says ChipIr is optimised to mimic the atmospheric fast-neutron spectrum with intensity increased by up to 10⁹.
Testing capabilities
Single-event-effects irradiation
ChipIr is published for irradiation of electronic devices and systems using atmospheric-like neutrons to study detrimental single-event effects.
Published device-under-test positioning
The instrument page describes two main sample positions, including an adjustable optical-table breadboard with automated computer-controlled positioning and a fully automated XYZ positioning table for the second position.
Published experiment support environment
ISIS describes an EMC-shielded data-collection room, independent user room and a stated range of power supplies, oscilloscopes, high-voltage supplies and voltmeters, with additional needs on request.
Equipment and published limits
| Specification | Published value | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Published beamline energy range | 0–800 MeV, matched to atmospheric spectrum | This is the instrument page’s named beamline energy range. Confirm the required spectrum, configuration and experimental suitability directly. |
| Published flux | 5.8 × 10⁶ n cm⁻² s⁻¹ above 10 MeV | This is the instrument page’s flux figure in the stated above-10-MeV context. Confirm the applicable configuration and current beam conditions directly. |
| Published beam-mode dimensions | Collimated beam down to 30 × 30 mm²; flood beam up to 600 × 600 mm² | These are published mode dimensions. Confirm the available beam size, collimation, filters and experimental configuration directly. |
| Published second sample-position load | 500 kg maximum load | This applies to the published fully automated XYZ second sample-position table. Confirm load, geometry, motion and safety suitability directly. |
Access and contact
The ISIS User Office says queries about access or an experiment can be directed to isisuo@stfc.ac.uk or +44 (0)1235 445592 (extension 5592). Confirm beamtime application, device requirements, safety, configuration, reporting, availability and lead time directly.
Facility contact
- Address
- Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0QX
United Kingdom - Website
- Official test house website
Standards and accreditation
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
What to confirm with the facility
- Confirm beamtime application, neutron spectrum and beam configuration, device dimensions and mass, cable and power needs, safety controls, dosimetry, reporting, availability and lead time directly with ISIS.
Before requesting a test
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Frequently asked questions
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Related testing facilities
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Further reading
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Sources and review
Arc reviewed the current ISIS ChipIr instrument and contact pages on 30 September 2026. The guide retains published beam parameters only in their named energy, flux, mode and sample-position contexts. The ISIS User Office route is treated as an access-enquiry route without asserting beamtime, experimental acceptance, capacity, price, lead time or device suitability.
Arc publishes this directory entry and does not operate the test facility. Suggest a correction to Arc with a supporting source.
The current ISIS instrument page establishes ChipIr’s electronic-device irradiation purpose and publishes named beam, device-under-test and support-environment details. It does not establish beamtime, a particular neutron configuration, experimental acceptance, price, lead time or device suitability.
The current ISIS contact page identifies the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory address and provides the ISIS User Office route for access and experiment queries. It does not establish beamtime, booking, experimental acceptance, capacity, price, lead time or device suitability.