Abstract
This article presents the results of a comprehensive characterization of special radiation-resistant multimode optical fibers, including complementary irradiation tests during mass production. Radiation-induced attenuation measurements were carried out at different wavelengths and the attenuation behavior studied with varying the dose rate. Following a preliminary qualification performed upstream the production, CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, validated the procurement of 500 km of fiber for installation in the accelerator complex and experiments. A strict quality assurance plan, including quality control and irradiation tests, was implemented for monitoring the characteristics of the supplied optical fibers all along the production process. The results show resistance to radiations consistently below 60 dB/km for a total dose of 10 kGy and a dose rate of 0.2 Gy/s and stable optical performance over hundreds of fiber spools produced during a 6-year period.
Highlights
M ULTIMODE (MM) optical fibers are widely used at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) for control and data transmission
The radiation-induced attenuation (RIA) of the optical fiber originates from the formation of color centers in the optical fiber glass when exposed to radiation, and such centers are mainly created by the ionization of atoms in the glass structure [3]
The quality assurance plan (QAP) put in place in the framework of the large-scale procurement of MM radiation-resistant optical fibers, ensured an accurate follow-up of the production and the compliance of all the delivered fibers with both international standards and CERN requirements
Summary
M ULTIMODE (MM) optical fibers are widely used at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) for control and data transmission Systems, such as data acquisition for the CERN particle detectors, are regularly consolidated and upgraded using MM optical fibers. This phenomenon can lead to such degradations that the concerned systems can no longer operate. The optical fibers installed in those areas must be of a special radiation-resistant type In this context, CERN procured 500 km of special radiationresistant MM optical fiber (RR-MMF). Results put in evidence how an early screening, during the production phase, of the performance of the irradiated fibers, allows for a prompt identification of nonconformities and consequent production tuning
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
