Modern Electronics (was Re: List charter mods & headcount... ; -))

From: der Mouse <mouse_at_Rodents.Montreal.QC.CA>
Date: Mon Jun 21 13:41:34 2004

>>> - with the benefit that goes with the better radiation resistance
>>> that goes with valve technology.
>> Is it valves that give you rad-hardening, or size? [...].
>> (Certainly the largest transistors I've seen are far smaller than
>> the smallest valve I've seen. [...])
> Take a look at power transistors sometime. Some come in "hockey
> puck" packages, which describes not just the shape but also the size.
> And I think a fair fraction of that package is die...

I've never seen any such - but I don't think I've seen any really
high-power valves, either.

I'd guess that power transistors of that size aren't very vulnerable to
radiation, too, which was mostly my point: that (I suspect) much of a
valve's rad-hardening is due to sheer size, not the fundamental method
of operation. ICBW, of course; wouldn't be the first time. :)

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Received on Mon Jun 21 2004 - 13:41:34 BST