Design of a radiation-hard optical fiber Bragg grating temperature sensor

Abstract

Optical fiber sensors (OFSs) offer numerous advantages, which include immunity to electromagnetic interference, intrinsic safety, small size, a possibly high sensitivity, multiplexing capabilities, and the possibility of remote interrogation. However, OFSs have a relatively low penetration in the commercial market, which is still dominated by standard electromechanical sensors. Nuclear environments are an example where particular OFSs might have a distinct superiority in the competition, but the feasibility of using OFSs in radiation environments still needs to be assessed. In the present paper we report on irradiation experiments performed to provide a sound basis for the design of a fiber Bragg grating based sensor capable to operate even under high total dose exposure.