Rad Hard Space Grade Doped Fibers
Lasers & Amplifiers Fibers /Harsh Environment Fibers
Overview
For space grade fiber amplifiers
The need for new earth and universe observation satellites is becoming more and more important, with new challenges in this very hostile space environment where components are 
exposed to ionizing radiation. Longer missions, very distant satellite for deep space sensing, and new telecommunication demands necessitate stronger photonic devices and components to withstand ionizing radiation.
iXblue has produced more than 20 flying navigation systems that are equipped with our fibers and components. We have developed a strong experience in the qualification of such devices in collaboration with end users.
Products
| Product | Specification | Datasheet | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erbium Rad Hard Fibers | |||
| IXF-RAD-AMP-1 | TRL 9 Rad Hard Space Grade |
More info | |
| IXF-RAD-AMP-2 | New generation Rad Hard Space Grade |
More info | |
| IXF-RAD-AMP-2-PM | PM-type Rad Hard Space Grade |
More info | |
| IXF-RAD-AMP-3 | State-of-the-art Rad Hard Space Grade |
More info | |
| Er/Yb Rad Hard Fibers | |||
| IXF-2CF-EY-O-6-130-LNF-RAD | 6 µm core diameter Rad Hard Space Grade |
More info | |
| IXF-2CF-EY-PM-6-130-LNF-RAD | 6 µm core diameter Rad Hard Space Grade |
More info | |
| IXF-2CF-EY-O-12-130-RAD | 12 µm core diameter Rad Hard Space Grade Third Generation |
More info | |
| IXF-2CF-EY-PM-12-130-RAD | 12 µm core diameter Rad Hard Space Grade Third generation |
More info | |
| Yb Rad Hard Fibers | |||
| IXF-2CF-Yb-PM-6-130-RAD | 6 µm core diameter Rad Hard Space Grade |
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| IXF-2CF-Yb-PM-10-130-RAD | 10 µm core diameter Rad Hard Space Grade |
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Publications
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Radiation tolerant frequency comb fiber laser for space applications
ICSO – SEPTEMBER 2022
A radiation tolerant Erbium fiber based optical frequency comb has been developed and environmentally tested. The system remained operable after an accumulated dose of 1 kGy. The underlying femtosecond fiber oscillator and Erbium fiber amplifiers have been manufactured from speciality doped fibers. The fiber optic system has been assembled and packaged using low outgassing components in a flight representative package before it was irradiated under active operation in two stages a 500 kGy. The accelerated ageing with dose rates of 10 mGy/s in water was tested using the calibrated Cobalt 60 source of the ESA-ESTEC facilities. The comb laser remained fully functional while the oscillator lost up to 30% of output power after the full exposure to the accumulated dose of 1 kGy. The fiber amplifiers lost 5-7% of output power.
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Evaluation of the reliability of pump combiners
ICSO – APRIL 2021
In this paper, we will describe the work carried out within the framework of the evaluation of the reliability of pump combiners under space environment. This work includes the definition of the optical and environmental specifications,…
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Recent advances on radiation-hardened optical fiber technologies
Optical Fiber Communication and Exhibition (OFC) – March 2020
Silica-based optical fibers possess key advantages for integration in radiation-rich environments as parts of communication systems, laser sources, optical amplifiers, diagnostics and point or distributed sensors. We reviewed how the understanding of the basic mechanisms of radiation effects can be exploited to optimize their tolerance to the most challenging environments.
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Recent advances in radiation-hardened fiber-based technologies for space applications
Journal of Optics – 1 August 2018
In this topical review, the recent progress on radiation-hardened fiber-based technologies is detailed, focusing on examples for space applications. In the first part of the review, we introduce the operational principles of the various fiber-based technologies considered for use in radiation environments: …
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Radiation influence on er and er/yb doped fiber amplifiers performances: high power and wdm architectures
Photonics West – January 2018
The actual challenge for space researchers is to increase the free space telecommunications data speed transfer. One of the most promising solutions is the optical communication systems. This technology can be used for the inter-satellite and/or satellite-ground links, …
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Robustness of astrix fiber optic gyros in space radiative environment
10th International ESA Conferenceon Guidance, Navigation & Control systems – June 2017
Development of radiation resistant passive and doped fibers started 10 years ago at iXblue. With tens of satellites flying using iXblue Optical Fibers, we now have access to data from real space environment – not only lab irradiation testing.
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Optimized radiation-hardened Erbium Doped Fiber amplifiers for long space missions
Journal of Applied Physics 121, 163104 – 2017
In this work, we developed and exploited simulation tools to optimize the performances of rare earth doped fiber amplifiers (REDFAs) for space missions. To describe these systems, a state-of-the-art model based on the rate equations…
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