Radiation testing of liquid crystal optical devices for space laser communication
Radiation testing of liquid crystal optical devices for space laser communication
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DOI：
10.1117/1.3265710
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发表时间：
2009-11
影响因子：
1.3
通讯作者：
S. Lane;Jacob E. Brown;M. Tremer;C. Uber;Elizabeth E. Gallagher;S. Collins;Michael R. Benoit
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
S. Lane;Jacob E. Brown;M. Tremer;C. Uber;Elizabeth E. Gallagher;S. Collins;Michael R. Benoit
液晶光学相控阵列是用于各种光子和电子束操纵功能的使能技术，包括转向、偏振控制以及振幅和相位调制。对于空间激光通信这一新兴领域的应用，这类设备需要在空间环境中存活10至15年。为了评估适用性和识别潜在的问题，进行了一系列实验，在这些实验中，LCD液晶设备经受三种辐射环境：总剂量（伽马）、瞬发剂量（x射线）和快中子。使用简单的相位延迟器设备进行测试，该设备用作波束控制设备的替代品。在增量暴露试验后，测量了1.55 µm对器件光学和电气特性的影响。观察到了适度的影响，但没有一个被认为是足够重要的影响空间通信波束控制应用的设备的性能。
Liquid crystal optical phased arrays are an enabling technology for a variety of photonic and electronic beam manipulation functions, including steering, control of polarization, and amplitude and phase modulation. For applications in the emerging field of space laser communications, such devices would need to survive in the space environment for 10 to 15 years. To assess suitability and identify potential issues, a series of experiments were conducted in which nematic liquid crystal devices were subjected to three radiation environments: total dose (gamma), prompt dose (x rays), and fast neutrons. Tests were conducted using simple phase retarder devices, which served as surrogates for beamsteering devices. Impacts to optical and electrical characteristics of the devices at 1.55 µm were measured after incremental exposure trials. Modest effects were observed, but none were deemed significant enough to impact performance of the devices for space communication beamsteering applications.