Investigation of Radiation Resistant Materials for Developing Space-Hardened Polymer Modulators
Abstract
An investigation of the radiation resistance of polymer based electro-optic modulators was conducted by the International Photonics Consultants for the Air Force Research Laboratory Photonics Technology Branch (SNDP) to determine the potential of polymer modulators for airborne and space environment microwave applications. Gamma-ray and proton irradiation of CPW-iIAPC, CLD-75IAPC, and other non-linear polymer materials received ionizing doses ranging to 163 krad(Si). Modulator parameters including half-wave voltage, insertion losses, and extinction ratios were evaluated for changes resulting from the ionization processes. Among the different spun-on and self-assembled PBMs investigated CPW-iIAPC phenyltetraene based devices exhibited the greatest resistance to both gamma-ray and proton irradiations. In some devices the half-wave voltage and insertion losses decreased at low 50 KRAD(SI) gamma-ray total dose. Empirical data supporting a recent hypothesis was demonstrated which asserted that strongly poled PBMs exhibiting low V% are less susceptible to moderate gamma-ray dose. Compared to gamma-ray irradiations, PBMs exposed to 25.6 MeV energetic protons at equivalent dose were shown to exhibit increased degradation to their V% and insertion losses. The empirical data provide a critical step in addressing DoD concerns for developing radiation resistant polymer technology for application to next generation microwave integrated polymer photonic components for space and strategic systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA429310
Entities
People
- Edward W. Taylor