Survivability Considerations For Optical Sensors

George C. Messenger

doi:10.1117/12.933364

30 June 1982 Survivability Considerations For Optical Sensors

George C. Messenger

Proceedings Volume 0327, Sensor Design Using Computer Tools; (1982) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.933364
Event: 1982 Los Angeles Technical Symposium, 1982, Los Angeles, United States

Abstract

Optical sensors have received wide acceptance to military and space applications. Their survivability in the natural space environment, nuclear weapon environment, and weapon enhanced space radiation has become a major concern. Nuclear radiation has two basic effects which interact to compound the degradation in detection systems. First, the nuclear radiation degrades the performance of the sensors by reducing minority carrier lifetime and increasing leakage currents. Second, the nuclear radiation acts as a noise source per se, thus decreasing the signal-to-noise ratio of the detector system. Still another complicating factor adds to the system problem. The output signal from the sensor is very low level and must be amplified by semiconductor electronics. The semiconductor electronics are also significantly degraded by the nuclear environment. This paper will attempt to summarize the problems and describe the radiation hardening techniques which are used to improve the operation of sensor systems in the nuclear and space environments.

Citation Download Citation

George C. Messenger "Survivability Considerations For Optical Sensors", Proc. SPIE 0327, Sensor Design Using Computer Tools, (30 June 1982); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.933364

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