Permanent Damage Effects in Optocouplers and LEDs
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optocoupler light emitting diode radiation↗
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Proton Damage in Linear and Digital Optocouplers
This paper discusses proton degradation of linear and digital optocouplers. One obvious way to harden optocoupler technologies is to select LEDs that are more resistant to displacement damage.
optocoupler↗
Proton Damage in Linear and Digital Optocouplers
Optocoupler failures occurred on the Topex-Poseidon spacecraft after about two years of operation. Later work in the laboratory showed that the failures were due to extreme sensitivity of LEDs within the optocouplers to displacement damage from protons. Although earlier work had been done on displacement damage in light-emitting diodes, none of the devices studied previously had been heavily damaged at the low radiation levels where the optocouplers failed in space. Subsequent work has shown that LED damage varies over an extremely wide range, depending on the particular manufacturing technology. This paper discusses proton degradation of linear and digital optocouplers. One obvious way to harden optocoupler technologies is to select LEDs that are more resistant to displacement damage. A direct comparison is made of degradation of a commercial linear optocoupler from one manufacturer with a modified version of the same device with a different LED technology. Other factors, including degradation of optical photoresponse and transistor -ain are also discussed, along with basic comparisons of digital and analog optocouplers. Linear optocouplers are designed with somewhat different requirements than digital optocouplers, which not only affects their radiation response but also the interpretation of radiation test data.
Johnston, A. H.↗
Literature Review of Optocouplers, Their polymer Components and Current Applicaitons
Optocouplers, also called optoisoloators and photocouplers, are devices that use a light emitting diode (LED) to conduct an electrical signal. The LED receives an electrical signal and emits light proportional to that signal. The light is then received by a photodetector and the signal is propagated. Optocouplers provide a high degree of electrical isolation and are therefore used extensively in commercial electronic equipment. Variations in optocouplers come from the type of photodetector used, the anatomy of the contents and the encapsulating polymers used. Current research involves investigating the tolerance of optocouplers to radiation for the purpose of improving spacecraft and satellites, as well as identifying failure mechanisms and improving design.
42 ENGINEERING↗
Optocouplers: Polymer Components, Current Applications and My Project Involvement [Slides]
Optocouplers, also called optoisolators and photocouplers, are devices that use a light emitting diode (LED) to conduct an electrical signal. The LED receives an electrical signal and emits light proportional to that signal. The light is then received by a phototransistor and the signal is propagated. Optocouplers provide a high degree of electrical isolation and are therefore used extensively in commercial electronic equipment. Variations in optocouplers come from the type of photodetector used, the anatomy of the contents and the encapsulating polymers used. Current research involves investigating the tolerance of optocouplers to radiation for the purpose of improving spacecraft and satellites, as well as identifying failure mechanisms and improving design. My project involvement at LANL includes conducting thermal and mechanical tests on three different cure profiles of epoxy to collect data about shrinkage, coefficient of thermal expansion, and degree of cure for a group wanting to produce their own optocoupler.
42 ENGINEERING↗
Proton Degradation of Light-Emitting Diodes
The severe degradation of optocouplers in space has been shown to be mainly due to proton displacement damage in the light-emitting diodes that are used within the optocouplers. However, a variety of LED technologies can be used in optocouplers and their sensitivity to proton displacement damage varies by about two orders of magnitude. Optocouplers are very simple hybrid devices, and the type of LED can be readily changed by the manufacturers with little cost impact. many optocoupler manufacturers purchase LEDs from outside sources with little knowledge or control of the manufacturing process used for the LED, leading to the possibility of very dramatic differences in radiation response (JPL has observed such differences for one type of optocoupler that is used in a hybrid power converter).
Johnston, A. H.↗