Radiation effects in photonic technologies destined for space applications

The widespread application of photonic technologies into new satellite architectures is considered to be imminent. Next generation satellite and space platforms have requirements for increased signal bandwidths, reduced power budgets, electromagnetic compatibility and smaller and lighter payloads. Optical sources, processors, interconnects, switches, routers, modulators, amplifiers and other optically manipulative components and systems are expected to provide improved and reliable performance to existing satellite wired-architectures. Recent advances in identifying, quantifying and differentiating the extent and nature of radiation induced damage for a variety of photonic technologies deemed important for potential and planned space applications and demonstrations are presented. Brief examples and discussions of radiation induced crosstalk in inorganic integrated optic devices, attenuation and conductance changes in organic based SLMs, spatial intensity shifts and depolarization in AO Bragg cells, permanent damage in GaN light emitting diodes, shifts of current thresholds in VCSELs, and permanent damage to the gain in Er - doped fiber optic amplifiers will be presented. The paper will also identify new areas of concern in emerging photonics that will require radiation effects studies.