Proton irradiation of commercial high power light emitting diodes for space applications

Light emitting diodes are widely used in space applications. In low Earth orbits missions, they are exposed to radiation environments that comprise mainly protons. The proton fluence that they must withstand in flight varies for each mission. Several commercial high power emitting diodes were irradiated with 50 MeV protons at different fluxes and up to various fluences by INTA. Their output power and time response degradations are analyzed. Conclusions about their suitability in proton-dominated radiation environments are drawn.