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At Delphea, we provide dedicated support for ECORCE TCAD through our online community forum. Users can ask questions, share tips, and discuss installation, setup, and advanced semiconductor modeling. The forum features sections for Installation & Support, Device Modeling, and a Publications area highlighting research, conference presentations, and simulation examples using ECORCE.
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Publications about ECORCE

Physical model for enhanced interface-trap formation at low dose rates

Sergey N Rashkeev, Claude R Cirba, Daniel M Fleetwood, Ronald D Schrimpf, Steven C Witczak, Alain Michez, Sokrates T Pantelides, IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, 2002

The study introduces a physical model for enhanced interface-trap formation at low dose rates, explaining the ELDRS effect in semiconductor devices. It shows how trapped charge in oxides increases interface trap generation during prolonged low-dose radiation, affecting device performance. This research provides critical insights for radiation-hardened TCAD simulations, helping engineers predict reliability and degradation in electronics exposed to low-level radiation.


Modeling dose effects in electronics devices: Dose and temperature dependence of power MOSFET

A Michez, J Boch, S Dhombres, F Saigné… - Microelectronics …, 2013 - Elsevier

The paper presents an advanced TCAD model of radiation dose and temperature effects on power MOSFETs. The study examines how total ionizing dose (TID) and temperature variations influence key performance parameters, including threshold voltage, leakage current, and device reliability. By combining experimental data with physics‑based simulations, the authors demonstrate how radiation and thermal conditions impact MOSFET behavior, offering valuable insights for radiation‑hardened semiconductor design and predictive reliability modeling in harsh environments.


ECORCE: A TCAD tool for total ionizing dose and single event effect modeling

A Michez, S Dhombres, J Boch - IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, 2015 - ieeexplore.ieee.org

The paper presents ECORCE, a TCAD software for simulating radiation effects on semiconductor devices. It demonstrates how ECORCE accurately models Total Ionizing Dose (TID) and Single Event Effects (SEE) in devices like MOSFETs, combining physics-based simulations with experimental validation. The study highlights ECORCE’s capability for predictive radiation hardness analysis, helping engineers design robust, high-reliability electronics for space, nuclear, and high-radiation environments.

 
A Michez, J Boch, A Touboul… - Journal of Physics …, 2016 - iopscience.iop.org
 
The paper presents an advanced dynamic meshing technique integrated into ECORCE TCAD. This approach automatically adapts the simulation mesh to local changes in electric potential and carrier densities, improving accuracy and efficiency in modeling complex semiconductor structures under radiation. The study highlights how ECORCE’s dynamic mesh enables detailed simulations of radiation effects, device behavior, and multi‑physics interactions, helping engineers achieve more precise and reliable results in radiation‑aware semiconductor design.
 

TCAD simulations of leakage currents induced by SDRAM single-event cell degradation

A Rodriguez, F Wrobel, A Michez… - 2016 16th European …, 2016 - ieeexplore.ieee.org

The conference paper presents detailed TCAD modeling of leakage current increases caused by single‑event effects (SEE) in SDRAM memory cells. Using ECORCE and advanced physics‑based simulation methods, the study analyzes how radiation events degrade cell performance, leading to increased leakage and reliability concerns. This work highlights ECORCE’s capability to accurately simulate radiation‑induced degradation mechanisms in complex memory structures, offering valuable insights for designing robust, high‑reliability semiconductor devices in space, nuclear, and other high‑radiation environments.


TCAD prediction of dose effects on MOSFETs with ECORCE

A Michez, J Boch, J Dardié, F Wrobel… - 2017 17th European …, 2017 - ieeexplore.ieee.org

The paper presents predictive TCAD simulations of radiation dose effects on MOSFET devices using ECORCE. The study shows how ECORCE models shifts in key electrical characteristics under increasing total ionizing dose (TID), providing insight into device degradation mechanisms and performance changes. These results demonstrate ECORCE’s ability to accurately predict radiation-induced effects in MOSFETs, helping engineers design more reliable, radiation‑hardened semiconductor devices for space, nuclear, and extreme environments.


Study of synergistic effects in integrated circuits subjected to ionizing and neutral radiation in space

T Borel - 2018 - theses.hal.science

The thesis investigates how combined radiation environments affect IC performance. Using tools like ECORCE TCAD, the study analyzes both ionizing and neutral particle effects, revealing synergistic degradation mechanisms in semiconductor devices. This work demonstrates ECORCE’s capability to model complex radiation interactions, helping engineers predict device reliability and design robust electronics for space applications.


TCAD simulation of radiation-induced leakage current in 1T1C SDRAM

HT Nguyen, A Rodriguez, F Wrobel, A Michez… - Microelectronics …, 2018 - Elsevier


Gate grounded n-MOS sensibility to ionizing dose

T Borel, A Michez, S Furic, E Leduc… - 2018 18th European …, 2018 - ieeexplore.ieee.org


Total ionizing dose effect in LDMOS oxides and devices

T Borel, S Furic, E Leduc, A Michez… - IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, 2019 - ieeexplore.ieee.org


Thermal runaway in SiC Schottky barrier diodes caused by heavy ions

S Kuboyama, E Mizuta, Y Nakada… - IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, 2019 - ieeexplore.ieee.org


Impact of electrical stress and neutron irradiation on reliability of silicon carbide power MOSFET

K Niskanen, AD Touboul… - IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, 2020 - ieeexplore.ieee.org


Etude expérimentale et modélisation des phénomènes de cellules fragilisées dans les DRAM en environnement radiative.

TH Nguyen - 2021 - theses.fr


Single Event Latchup: temperature effects, design parameters effects and mechanisms

S Guagliardo - 2021 - theses.fr


Neutron-induced failure dependence on reverse gate voltage for SiC power MOSFETs in atmospheric environment

K Niskanen, RC Germanicus, A Michez… - IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, 2021 - ieeexplore.ieee.org.


Predictive tools and" Radiation Hardening By Design"(RHBD)-SEL and Temperature Effects

Ygor Quadros de Aguiar - 2021 - theses.fr


Investigation of single event effects observed in SiC-SBDs

Y Nakada, E Mizuta, S Kuboyama, H Shindou - nishina.riken.jp


Single-event radiation effects in silicon carbide power MOSFETs

C Martinella - JYU dissertations, 2021 - jyx.jyu.fi


Evaluation of a Simplified Modeling Approach for SEE Cross-Section Prediction: A Case Study of SEU on 6T SRAM Cells

Cleiton M Marques, Frédéric Wrobel, Ygor Q Aguiar, Alain Michez, Frédéric Saigné, Jérôme Boch, Luigi Dilillo, Rubén García Alía, 2024, Electronics

Electrical models play a crucial role in assessing the radiation sensitivity of devices. However, since they are usually not provided for end users, it is essential to have alternative modeling approaches to optimize circuit design before irradiation tests, and to support the understanding of post-irradiation data. This work proposes a novel simplified methodology to evaluate the single-event effects (SEEs) cross-section. To validate the proposed approach, we consider the 6T SRAM cell a case study in four technological nodes. The modeling considers layout features and the doping profile, presenting ways to estimate unknown parameters. The accuracy and limitations are determined by comparing our simulations with actual experimental data. The results demonstrated a strong correlation with irradiation data, without requiring any fitting of the simulation results or access to process design kit (PDK) data. This proves that our approach is a reliable method for calculating the single-event upset (SEU) cross-section for heavy-ion irradiation.


AFM-sMIM characterization of the recombination-enhancing buffer layer for bipolar degradation free SiC MOSFETs

Rosine Coq Germanicus, Tanguy Phulpin, Kimmo Niskanen, Alain Michez, Ulrike Lüders, 2024, Solid State Phenomena
 
Due to the expansion of defects like single Shockley-type Stacking Faults inside the SiC epitaxial drift layer, during high current stress, classical SiC MOSFETs can be victims of the degradation of their electrical characteristics. The introduction of an epitaxial SiC buffer layer between the substrate and the n-drift epilayer, called recombination-enhancing buffer layer, was shown to avoid this degradation. In this paper, TCAD simulations of the electrical behavior of such a commercial SiC MOSFET device with varying buffer layer thickness are studied, indicating only small modifications of the electrical characteristics. These simulations are combined with the characterization of the local electrical properties using an AFM-sMIM technique, allowing to determine the real thickness of the different layers of the device. These measurements highlight an inhomogeneous conductivity in the SiC substrate, being probably compensated by the introduction of the SiC buffer layer.

Ga-Free T2SL Infrared Detector Under Proton Irradiations: Identification of Dark Current Regimes.

Hassen Mezouar, Alain Michez, Clara Bataillon, Matthias Tornay, Philippe Christol, 2025, IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science
 
The purpose of this work is to study the effects of proton irradiation on the dark current of InAs/InAsSb type-II superlattice (T2SL) midwave infrared barrier photodetectors. 60 MeV proton irradiation with fluence up to 8x1011 H+/cm² was applied to the detector maintained at its operating temperature of 150 K. A degradation of dark current is observed under proton irradiation due to displacement damage dose effects. Thanks to TCAD simulations, we identify the different dark current regimes. At high reverse voltage, the device is dominated by Fowler-Nordheim (FN) current and trap assisted tunneling (TAT).

Single Event Effects of SiC power MOSFETs: from neutron interaction to destruction at the die level

Rosine Coq Germanicus, Alain Michez, Kimmo Niskanen, Mahima Chaudhary, Guillaume Bascoul, Vanessa Chazal, Frederic Wrobel, Jerome Boch, 2025, IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science

The impact of irradiation poses a significant barrier to the deployment of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) Silicon Carbide (SiC) devices, such SiC MOSFETs, in harsh environments, such as space, avionics, and nuclear settings. Incident particles can induce secondary ion and generate, at the SiC die level, catastrophic events, such Single Event Burnout (SEB) or Single Event Gate Rupture (SEGR). With the goal of better elucidating the distinct stages occurring during irradiation, Technology Computer-Aided Design Single Event Effect (SEE) simulations of the SiC MOSFET, using ECORCE, were performed for both a heavy ion and a secondary ion created by neutron nuclear reactions. To more comprehensively account for all mechanisms linking particle interactions to device failure, the influence of two ion impact positions, beneath the gate and beneath the source, is evaluated.


Physical Explanation for the Higher Sensitivity to Ion-Induced Burnout in SiC Schottky Diodes Compared to Si Schottky Diodes

CM Marques, Alain Michez, Frédéric Wrobel, S Kuboyama, Frédéric Saigné, L Dillilo, YQ Aguiar, Rubén García Alía, 2025, IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science

SiC has a higher critical electric field compared to Si, which is promising for power applications. However, the susceptibility of SiC Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) to heavy ions is recognized as a critical issue due to Single Event Burnout (SEB) and Single Event Leakage Current (SELC). Despite extensive research, a comprehensive understanding of the main mechanisms underlying heavy ion-induced failures in SiC devices remains missing. This work compares the physical mechanisms in SiC and Si Schottky diodes using TCAD modeling. The results show that the high critical electric field, a key advantage of SiC devices, is also the primary factor behind their susceptibility to heavy ion irradiation. In Si diodes, impact ionization limits the electric field, reducing Joule heating and mitigating burnout risk.


Physics-Based Ion Track Structure Model for Single-Event Effect Simulations on Power Devices

Manami Iwata, Satoshi Kuboyama, Alain Michez, Akiko Makihara, Misa Takahashi, Norio Nemoto, Masahiko Midorikawa, Jérôme Boch, Frédéric Saigné, Frédéric Wrobel, Takahiro Makino, Takeshi Ohshima, Hiroyuki Shindou  2025 - IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science

A physics-based ion track structure was successfully established for ions covering a wide LET range applicable to single-event effect simulations on power devices by modeling the power law profile, which was derived from Geant4 simulation with MicroElec extension. The collected charge in two different types of SiC diodes calculated by the device simulator ECORCE is in good agreement with the experimental results at the low bias condition.

SEU Cross-Section Estimation Using ECORCE TCAD Tool

Cleiton M Marques, Alain Michez, Frédéric Wrobel, Ygor Q Aguiar, Frédéric Saigné, Luigi Dilillo, Rubén García Alía - 2025 - Electronics

This work introduces an innovative approach for estimating the Single-Event Upset (SEU) cross-sections in Static Random-Access Memory (SRAM) devices, addressing challenges related to limited technological information and the complexity of Technology Computer-Aided Design (TCAD) simulations. The proposed methodology is designed to be accessible even to users without in-depth TCAD expertise, enabling a streamlined yet accurate SEU cross-section estimation. Using simplified mixed-modeling (TCAD-based 2D modeling with circuit-level SPICE simulations), this approach significantly reduces computational efforts while maintaining good correlation with experimental data. Furthermore, this study identifies key parameters that influence TCAD modeling accuracy and proposes strategies for approximating unknown parameters, enhancing the reliability of SEU cross-section predictions.

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