Temperature Dependence of Radiation-Induced Attenuation of a Fluorine-Doped Single-Mode Optical Fiber at Infrared Wavelengths

Abstract

Harsh environments can combine radiations and extreme temperature constraints, which can both degrade the optical performances of silica-based optical fibers. Among the different types of optical fibers, the ones having a core in pure-silica or doped with Fluorine are known to present, generally, the lowest steady state radiation-induced attenuation (RIA) to high cumulated doses (> 10 kGy) at room temperature. In this work, we investigate how the RIA levels and kinetics of a radiation hardened F-doped single-mode optical fiber depend on the irradiation temperature. To achieve this, we performed a systematic study on the combined temperature (from -80°C to 80°C) and steady state X-ray radiation (up to 100 kGy) effects on a F-doped single-mode fiber with a high temperature acrylate coating in the infrared domain. We then discuss the basic mechanisms at the origin of the RIA and its temperature dependence.