Evaluating the broad neutron spectrum of ANIS

The Atmospheric Neutron Irradiation Spectrometer (ANIS) is a new member of the worldwide neutron irradiation facilities. It was developed at the China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS), producing the atmospheric-like neutrons from meV to GeV with high neutron flux simultaneously. Because of the differences between ANIS spectrum and the atmospheric neutron spectrum in the real environment, the neutron spectrum at ANIS should be evaluated to ensure the validity for the accelerated single event effects (SEEs) testing of electronics. In this study, the broad neutron spectrum at ANIS was obtained from the Monte Carlo simulation. An analytic expression of this neutron spectrum was provided. Calculations of the single error rate (SER) for the SRAM and DRAM devices with specific cross-section were also performed. By calculating the SER ratio compared with JESD89A and IEC TS 62396-1 standards, the deviation of the broad neutron spectrum at ANIS from that in the atmospheric neutron environment can be well predicted. This study evaluates the reliability of ANIS neutron spectrum for the first time.