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How does radiation affect electronic devices?
Radiation has two main effects on electronics: single event effects and total ionising dose effects. Ionising radiation creates electron-hole pairs in the electronics, changing the transistor parameters and eventually destroying them. It can also cause leakage currents between circuits.
Can radiation affect computers?
Nuclear radiation can damage electronics similar to EMP damage, if the electronics are energized. Nuclear radiation can damage electronics when not energized. Very high dose rates and very energetic radiation are needed in either case.
How does radiation affect an object?
The main effect radiation has on matter is its ability to ionize atoms to become ions, a phenomenon known as ionization, which is very similar to the photoelectric effect. Radioactive particles or electromagnetic waves with sufficient energy collide with electrons on the atom to knock electrons off the atom.
What types of radiation are not harmful?
In the case of alpha decay, a helium nucleus (two protons, and two neutrons) are emitted. This is the lowest energy radiation type, but it is none the less dangerous to human health.
Can you use your phone to detect radiation?
The advanced image sensors installed on now-ubiquitous smartphones can be used to detect ionising radiation in addition to visible light.
What are the effects of radiation on electronics?
Also, if the electronics are exposed to gamma radiation while unpowered, the gamma radiation effects are less. Ionizing radiation breaks down the materials within the electrical equipment. For example, when wiring is exposed to gamma rays, no change is noticed until the wiring is flexed or bent.
How does gamma radiation affect a computer chip?
The effect on diodes and computer chips is a bit more complex. The gamma rays disrupt the crystalline nature of the inside of the electronic component. Its function is degraded and then fails as more gamma radiation exposure is received by the electronic component.
What kind of equipment is sensitive to radiation?
Simple equipment (like motors, switches, incandescent lights, wiring, and solenoids) is very radiation resistant and may never show any radiation effects, even after a very large radiation exposure. Diodes and computer chips (electronics) are much more sensitive to gamma radiation.
Which is more sensitive to radiation diodes or computer chips?
Diodes and computer chips (electronics) are much more sensitive to gamma radiation. To give you a comparison of effects, it takes a radiation dose of about 5 Sv to cause death to most people. Diodes and computer chips will show very little functional detriment up to about 50 to 100 Sv.