Radiation effects on a lithium tantalate optical waveguide structure

The effects of X- and gamma radiation on an optical waveguide, fabricated in lithium tantalate, are described and discussed. The measurements indicate that quite severe radiation environments would be necessary to produce significant problems with LiTaO₃ devices. However, the level of the radiation effects may depend, like those in semiconductor devices and fibre optics, on the details of the composition of the material and the constructional methods employed. Because there appear to be effects due to a radiation-induced, internal, electric field, there will be a dependence on the cut of the crystal used.