Effects of neutron radiation on aluminum-gallium-arsenide lasers

Technical Report · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:6759090

Walsh, Jr, T E

Double heterojunction aluminum-gallium-arsenide laser diodes were irradiated in a nuclear reactor to determine the effects of neutron radiation. Two types of lasers were used; both types of diodes showed significant decreases in power output at neutron fluences of 10/sup 14/ n/cm/sup 2/. Linear increases in threshold current and linear decreases in external quantum efficiency were observed. There was no significant change in bias voltage versus forward current or in the spectral composition of the output of the diodes at neutron fluences up to 10/sup 15/ n/cm/sup 2/. Formulas were developed to predict the changes in threshold current, external quantum efficiency and power at a constant current above threshold. Damage coefficients for these formulas were derived from the irradiation data. Unusual discontinuities were observed in the poewr output versus input current curves of some diodes. Neutron irradiation tended to enhance these anomalies.

• Research Organization: Air Force Inst. of Tech., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH (USA). School of Engineering
• OSTI ID: 6759090
• Report Number(s): AD-A-055627; AFIT/GNE/PH-78-11
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360106 -- Metals & Alloys-- Radiation Effects
42 ENGINEERING
420300* -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
ALUMINIUM ARSENIDES
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ARSENIC COMPOUNDS
ARSENIDES
BARYONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
GALLIUM ARSENIDES
GALLIUM COMPOUNDS
HADRONS
LASERS
NEUTRONS
NUCLEONS
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
PNICTIDES
RADIATION EFFECTS
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
SEMICONDUCTOR LASERS