Gamma irradiation of magnetoresistive sensors for planetary exploration.
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.
Space Programs & Space Sciences Department of the Spanish National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA), Madrid, Spain. cu4570_28@inta.es
Ruy
R
Sanz
Ana B
AB
Fernández
Jose A
JA
Dominguez
Boris
B
Martín
Marina D
MD
Michelena