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Heavy ion-induced single event upset sensitivity evaluation of 3D integrated static random access memory

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Abstract

Heavy ion-induced single event upsets (SEUs) of static random access memory (SRAM), integrated with three-dimensional integrated circuit technology, are evaluated using a Monte Carlo simulation method based on the Geant4 simulation toolkit. The SEU cross sections and multiple cell upset (MCU) susceptibility of 3D SRAM are explored using different types and energies of heavy ions. In the simulations, the sensitivities of different dies of 3D SRAM show noticeable discrepancies for low linear energy transfers (LETs). The average percentage of MCUs of 3D SRAM increases from 17.2 to 32.95%, followed by the energy of 209Bi decreasing from 71.77 to 38.28 MeV/u. For a specific LET, the percentage of MCUs presents a notable difference between the face-to-face and back-to-face structures. In the back-to-face structure, the percentage of MCUs increases with a deeper die, compared with the face-to-face structure. The simulation method and process are verified by comparing the SEU cross sections of planar SRAM with experimental data. The upset cross sections of the planar process and 3D integrated SRAM are analyzed. The results demonstrate that the 3D SRAM sensitivity is not greater than that of the planar SRAM. The 3D process technology has the potential to be applied to the aerospace and military fields.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Microelectronics Center, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China

    Xue-Bing Cao, Li-Yi Xiao, Shan-Shan Liu, Chun-Hua Qi, An-Long Li & Jin-Xiang Wang

  2. Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China

    Li-Yi Xiao

  3. Research Center of Basic Space Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China

    Ming-Xue Huo & Tian-Qi Wang

Authors
  1. Xue-Bing Cao
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  2. Li-Yi Xiao
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  3. Ming-Xue Huo
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  4. Tian-Qi Wang
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  5. Shan-Shan Liu
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  7. An-Long Li
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  8. Jin-Xiang Wang
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Correspondence to Li-Yi Xiao.

Additional information

This work was supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. HIT.KISTP.201404), Harbin science and innovation research special fund (No. 2015RAXXJ003), and Special fund for development of Shenzhen strategic emerging industries (No. JCYJ20150625142543456).

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Cao, XB., Xiao, LY., Huo, MX. et al. Heavy ion-induced single event upset sensitivity evaluation of 3D integrated static random access memory. NUCL SCI TECH 29, 31 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41365-018-0377-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41365-018-0377-1

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