Faculty Awards and Recognitions
Revolutionizing Space Electronics Testing: “Two-Photon Absorption Laser System Enhancements for Maximizing Throughput and Value for Single Event Effects Characterization”
Single-Event Effects (SEEs) pose a significant reliability challenge for space
electronics. To assess the space-worthiness of Integrated Circuits (ICs), they must generally be tested with highly accelerated ion beams from particle accelerator facilities. Unfortunately, with recent boom in the commercial space development, current demand far outstrips the supply – there are only 4 U.S. facilities capable of producing the ion beams required for space qualifications. The limited availability of such facilities is a significant bottleneck in the ability to characterize ICs required for space applications
To address this limitation, the DOD has funded a five-year project (2024-2029) led by Dr. Robert Baumann (Director, Radiation Effects and Reliability) and Dr. Rodolfo Rodriguez Davila (Research Scientist, TPA Technical Lead), of the University of Texas at Dallas, to develop a ground-breaking two-photon (TPA) laser-based system for characterizing SEEs in ICs. This innovative system replicates the spatial and temporal characteristics of heavy ion events, enabling efficient and reliable testing of ICs without needing a heavy ion beam. This project will allow high fidelity SEE characterizations of space electronics to be performed at UTD’s Center for Harsh Environment Semiconductors and Systems (CHESS).
Key Thrusts:
(1) Develop a Robust Laser System: Design and implement a reliable TPA laser system with optimized optics, pulse width, and intensity to emulate heavy ion events and offer a scan rate allowing an entire IC to be characterized within tens of minutes – similar in duration to ion accelerator tests.
(2) Correlate Laser-Induced SEEs with Ion Beam SEEs: Establish methodologies to directly compare the effects of laser pulses and heavy ion events and confirm that the TPA laser pulse closely mimics the spatial and temporal attributes of events produced by a single heavy ion.
(3) Investigate permanent damage: Utilize optical spectroscopy to analyze the extent of damage caused by SEEs, including interface and bulk trap creation.
(4) Foster Workforce Development: Develop a targeted training and certification program to equip students and engineers with the knowledge and skills needed to address radiation effects and reliability in space electronics.
By advancing this laser-based SEE testing technology, UTD researchers are contributing to the development of more reliable and resilient space electronics that will support the development of new orbital platforms and constellations as well as new missions to the moon, mars, and beyond.
Faculty Recognition
Dr. Ted Moise
Dr. Ted Moise, who directed the development of ferroelectric random-access memory (FRAM) technology at Texas Instruments (TI), has been recognized as a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors for his significant contributions. Moise’s pioneering work has enabled electronic devices to store data much faster and with less power, benefiting various industries, including biomedical applications. https://news.utdallas.edu/faculty-staff/nai-fellow-moise-20
After retiring from TI in 2021, Moise joined UT Dallas as the director of the North Texas Semiconductor Institute (NTxSI), where he continues to foster innovation and semiconductor research. Moise’s leadership in advancing FRAM technology from research to high-volume manufacturing over 20 years was key to its success. His work has resulted in numerous FRAM-based devices still in production today. With 51 patents to his name and a distinguished career in engineering, Moise’s latest accolade highlights the lasting impact of his contributions to technology and society.
“UT Dallas is fortunate to have Dr. Ted Moise lead its efforts to support groundbreaking research and a vibrant North Texas semiconductor ecosystem. … We could not be prouder of Dr. Moise’s latest honor.”
—Dr. Joseph Pancrazio, vice president for research and innovation and professor of bioengineering at UT Dallas.
Dr. Julia Hsu
Dr. Julia Hsu was appointed Honorary
International Chair Professor at National Taipei University of Technology for years 2024-2027.
Dr. Hsu’s research areas include nanoscale materials physics, in particular nanomaterials for optoelectronic and energy applications.
From the website of the National Taipei University of Technology:
“The Materials Science and Engineering Program emphasizes cultivating professionals who can integrate the processing, characterizing, designing, research, and development of materials with the curricula designated for materials science and engineering. The main research fields of the Institute of Materials Science and Engineering concentrate on the composition, microstructure, processing, and property designs of metals, ceramics, and their composites. The main applications of these materials include optoelectronics, nanomaterials, biomaterials, energy, and conventional structural materials.
Undergraduates, postgraduates taught, postgraduate and PhD degrees are available. The Institute of Materials Science and Engineering also established a dual master’s program with the Institute of Materials Science and Engineering of both the University of Cincinnati and the University of Texas, Arlington, USA. The master of science student can complete their thesis research at Taipei Tech and then apply with TOEFL and their GPA for the dual degree program. With one additional year of coursework, dual master’s degrees are conferred.”
Dr. Hsu Helping Lead Pioneering Research on Iridium-Based Resists for Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography
Professor Julia Hsu’s team is pioneering the research on indium-based resists for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. These innovative resists, specifically indium nitrate, can be processed at lower temperatures compared to the current tin oxide-based resists. This advancement supports the scaling down of transistors and facilitates 3D integration of devices, making the research highly valuable to industry partners such as IBM, Intel, Samsung, and TEL. The project is part of the GRC Nanomanufacturing Material and Processes (NMP) program, with Marisol Valdez, an award-winning PhD student, leading the efforts.
The team’s research has shown promising preliminary results, leading to NSF FuSe2 funding for further optimization using computational and machine learning techniques. This ongoing work aims to provide alternative inorganic resists that offer superior resolution and pattern fidelity. Additionally, the project has resulted in a patent application and produced significant findings that could transform the industry’s approach to lithography. Beyond the technical achievements, the project has also provided invaluable professional development opportunities for students. Graduates such as Dr. Weijie Xu, MS graduate Jesse Grayson, and Dr. Robert Piper have transitioned to prominent industry roles at Texas Instruments, Applied Materials, and Intel Corporation, respectively. This collaboration between academia and industry highlights the practical impact and potential of the team’s groundbreaking research. Read the full article here.
Dr. Orlando Auciello
Dr. Orlando Auciello, Distinguished Endowed Chair Professor, was an Honorary IEEE INEC 2025 Plenary Speaker for the 10th IEEE International Nano-Electronics Conference on January 2025 in Taipei, Taiwan.