Post Situ neutron and gamma radiation damage tests on different quartz types

Abstract

Post-Situ neutron and gamma radiation damage studies performed on seven types of quartz fibers are reported. All fibers contained quartz cores, some of which were UV enhanced. The fiber cladding was either polymer or quartz, while the buffer was either polymide or acrylite. Previous studies with electron and proton irradiation on numerous types of quartz fibers have shown different optical degradation levels. However, neutron and gamma irradiation has not been investigated for similar quartz fibers before. After 17.6 × 104 Gray of neutron and 73.5 × 104 Gray of gamma radiation, wavelength specific damage to each type of fibers was determined. It is seen that the FBP type quartz fiber by Polymicro shows the least damage due to neutron and gamma radiations.