Comparative study of gamma-ray, neutron and electron beam irradiated index-guided laser diodes

The effect of gamma-ray, neutron and electron beam irradiation on index-guided laser diodes was investigated off-line. The laser diodes subjected to this evaluation were AlGaAs, low power (8 mW), single transversal mode lasers emitting in the near-IR. The diodes degradation was assessed up to the total gamma dose of 1.23 MGy, the total electron beam dose of 0.6 MGy, and to the neutron fluence of 1.2 times 10¹³ n/cm². The electrical, optical and optoelectronic characteristics were studied. The major irradiation induced changes are related to the embedded photodiode responsivity, the laser threshold current and its external quantum efficiency.