Free space coupled, InGaAs PIN + TIA Quad Photoreceivers enable multiple space applications that require differential wavefront sensing, such as gravitational wave detectors, and position sensing and tracking, for example inter-satellite optical communication links. Optical crosstalk between the individual quadrants of the 2 × 2 photoreceiver array is a key parameter that limits the position and/or direction sensing error of the system. Therefore, it is imperative to ensure low crosstalk in the quad photoreceivers throughout the mission life. We present 1 mm, 1.5 mm, and 2 mm diameter low noise Quad Photoreceivers that demonstrate crosstalk < -30 dB up to 20 MHz frequency. These devices were subjected to 100 MeV Protons and 100 MeV/n Helium Ions up to a fluence of 1 × 1010 cm-2. These tests not only validate the devices for Geostationary Orbit missions, but also for deep space missions outside of Earth’s protective magnetosphere where Galactic Cosmic Rays are a significant component of the radiation environment. All devices were found to be fully functional after radiation, and their crosstalk was essentially unchanged in all cases. Pre- and Post- radiation results were also measured for Dark Current vs. Reverse Bias Voltage for the Quad Photodiodes, DC Responsivity of the Quad Photodiodes, Conversion Gain and Bandwidth of the PIN + TIA Quad Photoreceiver, TIA Drive Current, and Input Equivalent Noise Density of PIN + TIA. Although we observed an increase in dark current due to radiation induced displacement damage in the Quad Photodiode, we did not observe any change in any other parameter for Quad Photoreceivers.
We have successfully tested simultaneously 2.4 Micron Wavelength, Extended InGaAs Photodiodes having diameters of 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 290 Micron, coupled with a Single Mode Fiber using 100 MeV/n Carbon (C) Ions up to a cumulative dose of ~40 krad. During irradiation, the devices were maintained at dry ice temperature, reverse biased at 100 mV, and their leakage current was continuously monitored in-situ during the run. After the exposure was completed, all nine devices were monitored for any change in their leakage current at 100 mV and room temperature for several weeks to monitor any annealing effects that may occur. Nine Photodiodes with the above varying diameters were radiated with 100 MeV/n Carbon Ions with a fluence of 106, 107, 108, 109, and 1010 ions/cm2 at each fluence level. At 100 MeV/n the Linear Energy Transfer (LET) of Carbon Ion is ~0.156 MeV-cm2/mg in Extended InGaAs, which is an order magnitude more than Proton (H) and Helium (He) Ions of 100 MeV/n energy. Thus, significant displacement damage is anticipated in the Extended InGaAs Photodiode with 100 MeV/n Carbon Ions with a total fluence of 1 × 1010 ions/cm2 . Pre- and Post- radiation results were also measured for: (1) Leakage Current Vs. Voltage for the Extended InGaAs Photodiodes; (2) Responsivity (Quantum Efficiency) in A/W for Photodiodes; and (3) Bandwidth of the Photodiodes. All devices were found to be fully functional at the normal operating conditions and at both dry ice and room temperature. The leakage current increased up to a factor of ~2X at lower bias of 100 mV at the highest fluence of 1010 ions/cm2, but not significantly at higher bias of 2 V. We did not observe any post radiation annealing effect for leakage current at room temperature and 100 mV bias for any of the devices after several weeks of data logging.
We have successfully tested simultaneously 2.4 Micron Wavelength, Extended InGaAs Photodiodes having diameters of 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 290 Micron, coupled with a Single Mode Fiber using Hydrogen (H), Helium (He), and Iron (Fe) Ions which collectively make up over 90% of the Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR). During irradiation, the devices were maintained at dry ice temperature, reverse biased at 100 mV, and their leakage current was continuously monitored in-situ during the run. After the exposure was completed, all nine devices were monitored for any change in their leakage current at 100 mV and room temperature for several weeks to monitor any annealing effects that may occur. Nine Photodiodes with the above varying diameters were radiated with 100, 250, 500 and 1000 MeV/n Hydrogen, Helium, and Iron Ions with a fluence of 106, 107 and 108 ions/cm2 at each energy level. Pre- and Post-radiation results were also measured for: (1) Leakage Current Vs. Voltage for the InGaAs Photodiodes; (2) Responsivity (Quantum Efficiency) in A/W for Photodiodes; and (3) Bandwidth of the Photodiodes. All devices were found to be fully functional at the normal operating conditions and at both dry ice and room temperature. We did not observe any post radiation annealing effect for leakage current at room temperature and 100 mV bias for any of the devices after several weeks of data logging.
We have successfully tested 290 μm diameter, 2.4 micron wavelength, Extended InGaAs photodiodes coupled with single mode fiber using 50 MeV Protons at both dry ice temperature (-75 °C) and room temperature (20 °C). The devices were reverse biased at 100 mV during the radiation run and their leakage current was continuously monitored insitu during the exposure. These devices find multiple applications in space for spectroscopy and sensing, inter-satellite optical communication links, rapid Doppler shift LIDAR, as well as inter-planetary and Earth-to-Moon communication links. Several photodiodes were tested using 50 MeV Protons with an average flux level of 2.11 × 107 protons/cm2 /s, for a total fluence of 1.0 × 1011 protons/cm2 and total dose of 20 krad (water). Pre- and post-radiation results were also measured for leakage current vs. voltage, responsivity (quantum efficiency), and bandwidth of the Extended InGaAs photodiodes. All devices were found to be fully functional at normal operating conditions and at both dry ice and room temperature.
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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