Optical Fibres in Nuclear Radiation Environments

Abstract

The aim of this work is to illustrate the activities related to the assessment of fibre-optic technology in hostile nuclear environment and to provide the interested reader with an introduction to this subject. Potential applications of fibre-optics in nuclear installations are summarised. Effects of nuclear radiation on optical fibres are shortly discussed. The absence of complete predictive models for the radiation induced attenuation in optical fibres is illustrated by modelling attempts and explained by the wide range of parameters which influence the induced loss. The need for standards in assessing the fibre’s radiation resistance is also presented. Finally, experimental methods are illustrated with results of radiation induced attenuation in optical fibres obtained for a high-dose rate and high total dose irradiation, as not often reported in literature.