Gyeongsang National University graduate student Jeong Yeon-su selected for an internship at imec, a Belgian semiconductor research institute

- Participating in a project linked with the European Space Agency (ESA)… Overseas internship supported by the BK Project Group

- Analysis of radiation-induced degradation in TSMC 7 nm devices… Establishing a lifetime prediction model for space-grade semiconductors

Jeong Yeon-su, a master’s student in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Gyeongsang National University (President Kwon Jin-hoe), has been selected for an internship at imec, a Belgian semiconductor research institute, and will take part in 11 months of research on semiconductors that withstand space radiation.

This dispatch is being carried out with overseas internship support from the BK Project Group (headed by Prof. Lee Wang-sang of the School of Electronic Engineering). Jeong is a member of the AI Semiconductor Modeling and Reliability (ASMR) Laboratory in Prof. Kim Jeong-sik’s research team in the Department of Electrical Engineering.

Semiconductors used in satellites and space exploration equipment are directly exposed to space radiation such as gamma rays and heavy ions. As semiconductor circuits become more miniaturized, they become more sensitive to radiation, which is a problem. With the growing use of ultra-fine processes in AI semiconductors for low-Earth-orbit satellites, space communication systems, and space data centers, there is a need for technologies that go beyond simply verifying whether devices operate to predicting performance degradation over the operating period and even mission lifetime.

Jeong Yeon-su’s dispatch topic is 'TCAD modeling of radiation effects on Ultra-Deep Submicron (UDSM) technology.' Working with imec researchers and using radiation-irradiation data from test chips produced with support from the European Space Agency (ESA), Jeong will analyze how semiconductor devices fabricated in advanced foundry processes degrade under radiation.

The main research subjects are devices based on TSMC 7-nanometer (nm) FinFET and 22 nm FD-SOI processes. The focus is on the effects of total ionizing dose (TID) and single-event effects (SEE) observed in space radiation environments. Circuit-level evaluation will be conducted in parallel based on changes in electrical characteristics before and after irradiation. The goal is to establish procedures to predict the lifetime of space-grade semiconductors by analyzing how device-level degradation affects actual circuit operation.

This selection was underpinned by the research capabilities built in the ASMR Laboratory. Jeong participated in studies evaluating changes in electrical characteristics by irradiating 7 nm FinFETs and SiC MOSFETs with gamma rays and protons. This experience will be expanded into measurement-data-based modeling research to be conducted at imec.

Jeong said, “I am very honored to participate in research linked to an ESA project at imec, a world-class semiconductor research institute,” and added, “Through this internship, I hope to further expand my capabilities in measurement-data-based TCAD modeling and circuit-level reliability assessment via SPICE simulation, and to contribute to the reliability of semiconductors for space, aerospace, defense, and automotive applications in the future.”

Advising professor Kim Jeong-sik said, “In addition to strengthening the student’s individual capacity for international joint research, this will serve as an opportunity to enhance Gyeongsang National University’s research competitiveness in semiconductor reliability and space electronics. We will continue to support students in gaining experience at world-class research sites.”

Meanwhile, imec, located in Leuven, Belgium, is a world-leading semiconductor research institute that collaborates with global companies and research organizations in various fields, including advanced semiconductor processes, next-generation memory, AI semiconductors, and high-reliability semiconductor technologies for space and automotive applications.

Photo description:Jeong Yeon-su, master’s student, Department of Electrical Engineering

Responsible department:Prof. Kim Jeong-sik, Department of Electrical Engineering |Contact:055-772-1718

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