Improving thermoluminescence response through the fabrication of novel microstructured fibers

Abstract

Abstract We present a novel technique aimed at improving upon the thermoluminescence (TL) response of optical fibers. The technique, based on the stack-and-draw method, is more conventionally used for microstructured optical fiber (MOF) fabrication. Utilizing the approach, the TL response of a single microstructured fiber can be shown to substantially improve upon that of a single capillary fiber, approaching a 30 fold increase in sensitivity. Present results provide strong support for the idea that by collapsing and fusing the surface walls of stacked fibers, strain-related defects are created, increasing the TL yield many times over. The substantial increase in sensitivity of these glass-based systems point to more extensive applications, the production of such detectors allowing versatile use, down to much lower doses than currently available using single capillary fibers.