Radiation damage effects in doped fiber materials

Abstract

Gamma-radiation-induced photodarkening has been observed and characterized in a suite of Yb-doped, Er-doped and Yb/Er co-doped optical fibers. Significant reduction in the optical transmission of the fibers under passive (not pumped) conditions was observed for wavelengths across the infrared spectrum. In general, it was found that the co-doped fiber tested showed the strongest radiation resistance whereas the Er-doped fibers tested exhibited the greatest radiation sensitivity. A dependence on dose rate was also observed in all fibers.