[News] World’s First: China’s New Chip Successfully Mass-Produced!

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Recently, the Nuclear Safety and Environmental Engineering Technology Institute at the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has successfully mass-produced the world’s first X/γ nuclear radiation dose detection chip.

According to China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), the chip measures X/γ radiation dose rates ranging from 100 nSv/h (nanosieverts per hour) to 10 mSv/h (millisieverts per hour) and detects energy levels from 50 keV (kiloelectronvolts) to 2 MeV (megaelectronvolts). With dimensions of only 15mm x 15mm x 3mm, it operates within a temperature range of -20°C to 50°C and has an ultra-low power consumption of 1mW (milliwatts).

Despite its compact size, the chip’s sensitivity is comparable to that of a conventional Geiger-Müller tube used for environmental measurements.

This chip holds extensive application potential. By referring to its datasheet, users can conduct simple secondary development to apply it in radiation dose monitoring for nuclear-related workplaces, personnel, and environmental monitoring.

The chip’s standardized interface design allows it to be used as a general-purpose radiation sensor, adaptable for reflow soldering, and easily integrated into various smart devices such as smartphones, tablets, smart helmets, and drones. It can thus serve as a core component in developing intelligent terminals with radiation detection capabilities.

The research team has overcome key technological hurdles in crystal integration, packaging temperature, and mass testing, completing the entire process from chip design and wafer fabrication to integration, packaging, and testing. This has enabled stable production techniques for the chip, allowing it to be mass-produced in authorized factories with the necessary qualifications.

 

 
(Photo credit: China National Nuclear Corporation)