Competition Rate Using 'Yangseongja Accelerator Beam' Hits Record High 3.5 to 1...Surging Demand in Semiconductor Sector

The Only 'Proton Accelerator' in Korea at Gyeongju Proton Science Research Center
Demand Surges Since Late Last Year... "Pilot Operation of Two Shifts"

Proton accelerator at Gyeongju Proton Science Research Institute.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongwook Park] Competition among companies seeking to use the proton accelerator beam at the Proton Science Research Division of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute in Gyeongju is fierce.

Since the operation of the proton accelerator began in 2013, the competition rate for beam usage showed a gradual increase until 2018. However, in the second half of last year, it recorded 2.71 to 1, 2.13 to 1 in the first half of this year, and surged to 3.54 to 1 in the second half of this year.

According to the Proton Science Research Division on the 27th, the proton accelerator beam service accepts applications from users twice a year and allocates beam time to users through a beam time allocation committee. The recent sharp increase in competition is due to the increased beam usage by semiconductor industry companies such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.

The proton accelerator is a device that strips electrons from hydrogen atoms and accelerates the remaining protons close to the speed of light. Because the accelerated protons change the properties of materials or create new materials, it is called the "alchemist of modern science" or the "Midas touch."

The proton accelerator is used in various fields of research and development, including nanotechnology (development of semiconductor thin-film manufacturing technology), biotechnology (development of new varieties of vegetables and flowers), medical technology (proton cancer treatment technology and new drug development), and energy and environmental technology (development of eco-friendly fuel cells and solar cells).

In particular, as international standards for testing and evaluating the effects of atmospheric radiation on semiconductors are shifting from recommended levels to regulatory measures, and following Japan's export restrictions related to semiconductors, research and development demand from related industries has surged.

The Proton Science Research Division is preparing to operate a two-shift beam service to respond to the explosively increasing demand and to effectively support users. The two-shift beam service will be piloted starting in November.

Mayor Nak-Young Joo of Gyeongju said, "Despite the poor local financial situation, the proton accelerator, which was built with a huge amount of local government funds and had been treated like a burden, is now showing recent achievements that are even more welcome and appreciated," and urged the Proton Science Research Division to "prepare well for the two-shift beam service and do their best to support proton accelerator users."

Meanwhile, the proton accelerator, independently developed domestically at the end of 2012 through cooperation among 21 domestic industry-academia-research institutions including the Atomic Energy Research Institute, is the third largest in scale after the United States and Japan, and the only one in Korea.

Overview of Gyeongju Proton Science Research Institute.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.