The use of optical time domain reflectometers to measure radiation-induced losses in optical fibers

Author

West, R.H. ; Buker, H. ; Friebele, E.J. ; Henschel, H. ; Lyons, P.B.

Author_Institution

R. Mil. Coll. of Sci., Shrivenham, UK

Volume

12

Issue

4

fYear

1994

fDate

4/1/1994 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

614

Lastpage

620

Abstract

Fiber-optics exposed to ionising radiation suffer from induced transmission loss from which recovery can take place over periods up to years after exposure. Measurement of this behavior presents difficulties over the longer times, but is necessary to permit predictions of fiber behavior in applications where long-term exposure to ionising radiation is involved, as in reactor environments, medical applications, space or accelerator instrumentation. This paper presents a summary of a study by a number of laboratories of the NATO Panel IV, Research Study Group 12 Nuclear Effects Task Group into the suitability of the use of optical time domain reflectometry for these measurements. Results are shown which validate this approach when used according to recommended guidelines

Keywords

optical fibres; optical loss measurement; optical losses; optical time-domain reflectometry; accelerator instrumentation; fiber behavior; fiber-optics; induced transmission loss; ionising radiation; long-term exposure; measurements; medical applications; optical fibers; optical time domain reflectometers; optical time domain reflectometry; predictions; radiation-induced losses; reactor environments; recommended guidelines; space instrumentation; Biomedical equipment; Biomedical optical imaging; Extraterrestrial measurements; Inductors; Ion accelerators; Ionizing radiation; Medical services; Optical fiber losses; Propagation losses; Time measurement;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Lightwave Technology, Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0733-8724

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/50.285354

Filename

285354