China achieves major breakthrough in space-grade radiation-resistant optical fiber
Quick Look
- A Chinese research team has successfully developed and deployed space-grade radiation-resistant erbium-doped optical fiber, achieving a stable year of operation in orbit.
- This breakthrough reduces reliance on imports and supports China's satellite internet and deep space exploration missions.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Erbium-doped optical fibers are crucial for optical amplifiers in laser communication systems. In space, radiation can degrade their performance. Previously, China relied on imports for space-grade fibers.
中新网西安5月20日电 (记者 阿琳娜)记者20日从西安光机所获悉，该所光子功能材料与器件研究室侯超奇、郭海涛研究员团队自主研制的宇航级耐辐照掺铒光纤已在轨稳定正常工作满1年。这标志着中国在空间用耐辐照掺铒光纤国产化领域取得重大突破，自主可控能力实现跨越式提升。
团队自主研制的宇航级耐辐照掺铒光纤。西安光机所供图
据介绍，掺铒光纤是激光通信系统中信号接收与发射端光放大器的核心增益介质。在太空环境中，高能粒子辐照会导致光纤内部形成辐致色心，使光纤损耗急剧增加，激光增益性能大幅下降甚至失效，成为制约星载激光通信系统性能、寿命与可靠性的关键因素。此前，中国宇航级掺铒光纤长期依赖进口。
对此，侯超奇研究员、郭海涛研究员、折胜飞副研究员、王根成特别研究助理等组成攻关团队，揭示了空间高能离子辐照环境下掺铒光纤的辐照损伤效应与机理，创新性地提出了一种抑制辐照后温度敏感性提升的新型光纤结构。团队先后突破了超低共掺剂体系下铒离子均匀分散、基于组分和预处理调控的抗辐照加固、高效率耐辐照掺铒光纤制备等关键技术，成功研制出具有自主知识产权的耐辐照掺铒光纤，该光纤性能指标达到国际先进水平。
耐辐照掺铒光纤的激光性能测试结果。西安光机所供图
2025年，基于该光纤的宇航级光放大器搭载卫星顺利入轨。目前，该光纤随激光通信终端已顺利通过硬件性能检测、同轴度标校、激光最大功率输出等系列关键指标考核，各项性能指标正常，在轨稳定正常工作满1年。
据悉，该成果为中国星载激光通信领域提供了核心材料支撑，对于保障中国卫星互联网星座部署及深空探测等重大任务具有重要意义。(完)
Open Questions
- What are the specific performance metrics compared to international advanced levels?
- What is the projected lifespan of this fiber in orbit?
- What are the future plans for further development or application of this technology?
- What is the cost-effectiveness of this domestically produced fiber compared to imports?
