Patent ID: 6348356
Filing Date: 2002-02-19
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
A method for determining the robustness of a device to soft errors generated by alpha-particle and/or cosmic ray strikes, comprising the steps of:estimating energies of the alpha-particle and/or cosmic ray strikes; computing a number of electron-hole pairs generated for a predetermined distance of travel by the alpha-particle and/or cosmic ray into the device based on said estimated energies; computing the absorption coefficient in silicon for a light pulse with a predetermined wavelength; computing a first pulse width for said light pulse to generate said number of electron-hole pairs for said predetermined distance of travel by said light pulse into the device; producing said light pulse, said light pulse having a light pulse energy which is controlled by a pulse width and an intensity, wherein said pulse width is at a second pulse width which is less than said first pulse width and said light pulse energy is at a first light pulse energy which is low enough to avoid generating soft errors in the device; applying said light pulse to the device at a predetermined location; varying said light pulse energy to a second light pulse energy to generate a soft error; and detecting a soft error in the device.