Radiation Resistant Fiber Optic Materials and Waveguides

The ionizing radiation response of a variety of radiation resistant bulk glasses and optical fibers has been measured. The spectral character and time dependence of the radiation-induced optical losses in high purity silicas and silica-containing fibers has been determined for a range of doses and dose rates. Intrinsic optical loss and radiation response measurements on several types of cerium-protected silicate glasses and fibers have indicated that moderate loss (¿ 100 db/km), high numerical aperture, radiation resistant fiber waveguides are achievable by cerium doping of silicates provided that sufficiently pure materials are utilized. Total fiber loss data, that is, radiation-induced loss plus intrinsic loss, have been generated vs time following pulsed irradiation.