What it Does
Our 1 m3 self-shielded β-irradiation cell combines a sealed ⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Y source (≤ 500 mCi), a two-axis precision wafer stage and a collaborative-robot loader. A fully automated 33-minute cycle delivers 2 kGy (6 MeV-equivalent) across a 100 mm wafer, cutting carrier lifetime to ≈ 5 µs—enabling soft-recovery diodes, fast SCRs and IGCT free-wheel diodes without gold diffusion.
| Performance Snapshot | |
|---|---|
| Usable source energy | 0 – 2.3 MeV β |
| Uniformity (Ø 100 mm) | ± 8 % after single scan |
| Through-put (500 mCi) | 15 wafers / shift |
| Placement accuracy | ± 0.1 mm (XY ball-screw) |
| Foot-print / weight | 1000 × 1000 × 1000 mm / ≈ 410 kg |
| Utilities | 3-phase 400 V 25 A, 0.5 m³ min⁻¹ exhaust |
Why Choose This Platform
- Half the CAPEX of a 5 Ci industrial irradiator—yet no chemical lifetime killers.
- Zero manual handling inside the hot zone—cobot closes, scans, parks the source.
- Table-top footprint—installs in a standard R&D lab, no concrete bunker.
- Field-proven dose recipe—2 kGy → τ 5 µs in 30 min for 350 µm FZ Si.
- Future-ready—source cartridge can be swapped or topped-up after 10 years.
Built-in Safety
- 6 mm Pb shield + Al liner keeps exterior ≤ 3 µSv h⁻¹ at full activity.
- Dual-channel SIL 2 / PL d interlock: door switch + motorised source shutter.
- Fail-safe “source-park” on power loss.
- Continuous dose-rate monitor tied into main PLC.
- HEPA / O₃ exhaust < 0.01 ppm at 500 mCi.
Standards & Compliance – Finland Roadmap (Q4 2026)
| Domain | Standard / Directive |
|---|---|
| Machinery | 2006/42/EC, EN ISO 12100 |
| Electrical safety | 2014/35/EU (LVD), EN 60204-1 |
| EMC | 2014/30/EU, EN 61000-6-2 / -6-4 |
| Radiation protection | 2013/59/Euratom, Finnish ST 1.6 & ST 5.1 |
| Source capsule | ISO 2919 C43332, ISO 9978 leak-test |
| Functional safety | EN ISO 13849-1 Cat 3 PL d |
| Collaborative robot | ISO 10218-1/-2, ISO/TS 15066 |
| Installation licence | STUK Safety-licence (Cat-2 sealed source) |
| CE declaration | Technical File in Tallinn; DoC on request |
Typical Use Cases
- Lifetime trimming of press-pack diodes & SCR tablets before brazing.
- Fine balancing of series-connected fast recovery diodes for traction drives.
- Prototype lots for UPS / welding / wind-converter modules when large irradiators are uneconomical.
Need a throughput upgrade? The stage and software scale up to a 1 Ci source, boosting line speed to 50 wafers/shift with no hardware changes.