Radiation Hardened Electronics for Reactor Environments

Radiation-hardened (rad-hard) electronics have been the shortcoming in nuclear sensing and instrumentation. Placing advanced sensors and associated electronics closer to a nuclear reactor core will improve reactor control and operation through increased signal accuracy, precision, and fidelity, resulting in safer, more efficient energy production. However, the extreme temperature and bombarding radiation environment of nuclear applications make research and development into electronics and electronic materials technologies essential to enabling improved safety, monitoring, and control of the existing nuclear reactor fleet and the next generation of reactors, including microreactors. To help the US Department of Energy (DOE) define a course for the Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)-funded rad-hard electronics research, Oak Ridge National Laboratory staff present this summary of the state-of-the-art (SOA) technology for the design and implementation of rad-hard electronics and systems, including research efforts and commercial offerings. A collection of technological gaps associated with reactor applications are compiled herein. Based on the radiation degradation mechanisms discussed in this report, along with the state-of-the-art summary survey and a compiled list of gaps, a high-level research plan of future NE funding direction was developed and is provided. This report outlines these activities and provides a summary of SOA electronics technology for rad-hard instrumentation in reactors, a list of the major technology gaps observed, and a draft plan for addressing the present and future needs of reactor instrumentation.