We have comprehensively tested uncooled, free space coupled, InGaAs Quad Photoreceivers having 0.5 mm, 1 mm, and 2 mm diameter integrated with a low noise transimpedance amplifier (TIA) using 30 MeV Protons, 100 MeV Protons, 662 keV Gamma Rays, 1 GeV/n Helium, and 1 GeV/n Iron at room temperature of ~20°C. These devices find multiple applications in space for differential wavefront sensing as part of a Gravitational Wave Observatory, as well as instrumentation and control for next generation space telescopes. The bandwidth of all receivers was 20 MHz which was TIA limited.
All 0.5 mm and 1 mm devices were found to be fully functional at normal operating conditions and at room temperature for Protons, Gamma Rays, 1 GeV/n Helium, and 1 GeV/n Iron. Only one quadrant of a 2 mm InGaAs Quad had hard failure due to 1 GeV/n Helium Ions; otherwise it too survived all other radiation tests. Detailed test results follow in the manuscript including recommendations for future space flights. These radiation test results, combined with the earlier successful mechanical shock and vibration testing mean these devices have passed preliminary testing for space qualification.
We have successfully tested 5 to 8 GHz bandwidth, uncooled, Extended InGaAs 2.2 μm wavelength, linear optical receivers, coupled with single mode fibers for 30 MeV Protons, Gamma rays, 1 GeV/n Iron ions, and 1 GeV/n Helium ions. These devices find multiple applications in outer-space for coherent rapid Doppler shift LIDAR, long wavelength gravitational wave sensing, as well as inter-planetary and Earth-to-Moon coherent communication links. Nine devices comprising of Extended InGaAs 2.2 μm PIN photodiode (PD) and GaAs transimpedance amplifiers (TIA), coupled with single mode fibers, were tested with 30 MeV protons, three each with fluence levels of 4.9 × 1010 cm-2 , 9.8 × 1010 cm-2, and 1.6 × 1011 cm-2 . Three more devices were tested using 1.4 ♦ 108 Helium ions/cm2 at 1 GeV/n over a six minute exposure for a dose of 20 rad (water). Three additional devices were exposed to 1 GeV/n Fe fluence of 2.8 × 105 ions/cm2 for half a minute delivering a dose of 6 rad (water). Another three Extended InGaAs PD and GaAs TIA fibered devices were tested using Cesium-137 gamma rays of 662 keV for 15 krad (water). Pre- and post-radiation results were measured for (1) dark current vs. voltage for the InGaAs photodiodes, (2) responsivity (quantum efficiency) for the photodiodes, (3) optical return loss for the photodiodes, (4) TIA drive current, (5) bandwidth of the PIN + TIA, (6) conversion gain of the PIN-TIA, and (7) Bit Error Ratio (BER) of the PIN-TIA for 10.709 Gbps NRZ-ASK signal. All devices were found to be fully functional at normal operating conditions and at room temperature. All these efforts will advance the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of these devices by year 2020.
We have successfully tested 10 GHz bandwidth, uncooled, linear InGaAs optical receivers, coupled with a standard single mode fiber for proton and gamma rays. These devices find multiple applications in space for inter-satellite optical communication links, rapid Doppler shift lidar, as well as inter-planetary and Earth-to-Moon communication links. Nine InGaAs PIN photodiode and GaAs transimpedance amplifiers (TIA) were irradiated with 100 MeV protons with a fluence level of 1.6 × 1011 cm-2 corresponding to a total dose of 19.1 krad (water). Devices were also subjected to 30 MeV protons, six each with fluence levels of 4.9 × 1010 cm-2 , 9.8 × 1010 cm-2 , and 1.6 × 1011 cm-2 . Additionally, another nine InGaAs optical receivers were irradiated with 662 keV gamma rays, three devices each for a dose of 15 krad (water), 30 krad (water), and 50 krad (water). Pre- and post-radiation results were measured for (1) dark current vs. voltage for the InGaAs photodiodes, (2) responsivity (quantum efficiency) for the photodiodes, (3) optical return loss at 1550 nm wavelength, (4) drive current of the TIA, and (5) bandwidth of the PIN + TIA. All devices were found to be fully functional at the normal operating conditions and at room temperature.
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