Gamma Irradiation of Magnetoresistive Sensors for Planetary Exploration

• Main Authors: Ana B. Fernández, Boris Martín, Jose A. Dominguez, Ruy Sanz, Marina D. Michelena
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2012-04-01
• Series: Sensors
• Subjects: magnetic devices; radiation effects in devices; Gamma ray effects; space applications; space radiation effects
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/12/4/4447/

A limited number of Anisotropic Magnetoresistive (AMR) commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) magnetic sensors of the HMC series by Honeywell, with and without integrated front-end electronics, were irradiated with gamma rays up to a total irradiation dose of 200 krad (Si), following the ESCC Basic Specification No. 22900. Due to the magnetic cleanliness required for these tests a special set-up was designed and successfully employed. Several parameters of the sensors were monitored during testing and the results are reported in this paper. The authors conclude that AMR sensors without front-end electronics seem to be robust against radiation doses of up to 200 krad (Si) with a dose rate of 5 krad (Si)/hour and up to a resolution of tens of nT, but sensors with an integrated front-end seem to be more vulnerable to radiation.