On life assessment of high reliability high power optical switch

Yuanjian Xu; Peter Chu

doi:10.1117/12.2058883

17 September 2014 On life assessment of high reliability high power optical switch

Yuanjian Xu, Peter Chu

Proceedings Volume 9226, Nanophotonics and Macrophotonics for Space Environments VIII; 92260G (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2058883
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2014, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

High data rate and long range free space lasercom links require multi-watt optical transmitter power, which creates a need for high power redundancy switches to ensure high payload reliability. A high power optical switch (HPOS) with less than 0.15 dB loss and capable of switching more than 40 watts of optical power in a single mode fiber has been previously demonstrated in the Transformational Satellite Communication System program. Prototype switches, in either 1x2 or 2x2 configuration, have been subjected to pyro-shock test, vibration test, and vacuum operation. These switches showed no performance degradation as a result of these tests. Three prototypes went through 60,000 35-watt switching cycles and over 30 million low power switching cycles, and the switches showed no mechanical failure. The HPOS life is about 3.2 million switching cycles with a definition of 3-dB degradation in on/off extinction ratio, which is well suited for space applications.

Citation Download Citation

Yuanjian Xu and Peter Chu "On life assessment of high reliability high power optical switch", Proc. SPIE 9226, Nanophotonics and Macrophotonics for Space Environments VIII, 92260G (17 September 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2058883

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available