Preservation into Eternity (was: IMSAI 8080)

From: Allison J Parent <allisonp_at_world.std.com>
Date: Tue Jun 23 21:09:05 1998

<Sorry, I guess it would degrade, wouldn't it...
<Why DO EPROMs go bad?

Eprom technology relies on a stored electrostatic charge. The gate
structure it uses as a capacitor is insulated with (SIO2) glass so its
very high resistance but over time it can absorb mosture and the charge
can leak off. UV accelerates that as do xrays and cosmic rays.

The Xrays, this I know from erasing OTPs back when. I hadd help from a
site were they were using industrial xray hardware on pipes. They
thought I was nuts until I explaned that the parts were then worth about
25$ a peice and I have maybe 100 with me.

The problem with OTPs is they are plastic and are not hermetic. The best
for storage are the two slabs of ceramic types with kovar header or IBMs
titainium/ceramic package.

Allison
Received on Tue Jun 23 1998 - 21:09:05 BST