The Response of Optical Isolators in a Nuclear Radiation Environment

Abstract

The effects of gamma total dose and gamma dose rate ex. posures on the operation of a state-of-the-art optical isolator were inves. tigated. The isolator was irradiated in both "on" and "off" states to determine upset in dose rate environments from 1.5 X 108to 2.2 X 1011rd/s (Si). High-state output voltage was subject to upset at all dose rates tested. Propagation delay times, and output voltage and currenl were measured for total dose exposures up to 5X 106rd (Si). Of the parameters tested, only high-state output current and low-to-high pro. pagation delay times exceeded the manufacturer's specifications in the total dose environment.