WORKSHOP PAPER
Exploring Space-Radiation Induced Dark Signal and Random-Telegraph-Signal in a Sony IMX219 CMOS Image-Sensor
Abstract
This work investigates the impact of space radiation on dark signal and Dark Current Random Telegraph Signal (DC-RTS) in Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) micro-meter pitch backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS Image Sensors (CIS), using the Sony IMX219 as a device under test (DUT). The study examines proton and gamma irradiations' effects on dark signal degradation, dark signal non-uniformity (DSNU), readout noise, and the random telegraph signal (RTS) behavior of pixels. It uncovers that proton irradiations follow the typical trend for both dark current and RTS degradation in CIS. Gamma irradiations demonstrate the DUT's high tolerance to Total Ionizing Dose (TID), notably under biasing, which significantly affects the TID-induced degradation. A deviation in the maximum RTS transition amplitude distributions from a purely exponential behavior suggests local Electric-Field-Enhancement as a potential cause. The findings suggest that the IMX219 is promising for use in space applications, particularly as an engineering or proximity camera, although the sensor's susceptibility to Single-Event-Effects could be a more critical challenge.Keywords
CMOS Image Sensors, Space Radiation, Dark Signal,References
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