Radiation Induced Effects Research In Emerging Photonic Technologies: Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers, Gan Light Emitting Diodes And Micro Electromechanical Devices

A brief overview and summary of very recent radiation effects studies of AlGaAs vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs), AlGaN/InGaN/GaN light emitting diodes (LEDs) and polysilicon micro electromechanical devices (MEMs) is presented. The Air Force Phillips Laboratory is pioneering the establishment of radiation response and hardening data bases in these important photonic areas, using a novel investigative ion microbeam methodology. Coordinated studies with leading experts from industry, academia and a National Laboratory have resulted in the first radiation effects induced in VCSELs, GaN LEDs and MEMs devices. The paper also reports on traditional broad area source - gamma ray and neutron induced responses. The combined data are of special importance to space system planners contemplating or transitioning the use of photonics in space based systems where radiation and thermal effects must be considered and compensated for in order to allow operation in widely varying orbits and long duration missions.