Publications

Investigation of radiation-induced photodarkening in passive erbium-, ytterbium-, and Yb/Er co-doped optical fibers

Fox, B.P.; Simmons-Potter, K.; Simmons, J.H.; Thomes, W.J.; Bambha, Ray B.; Kliner, D.A.V.

The deployment of optical fibers in adverse radiation environments, such as those encountered in a low-Earth-orbit space setting, makes critical the development of an understanding of the effect of large accumulated ionizing-radiation doses on optical components and systems. In particular, gamma radiation is known to considerably affect the performance of optical components by inducing absorbing centers in the materials. Such radiation is present both as primary background radiation and as secondary radiation induced by proton collisions with space-craft material. This paper examines the effects of gamma radiation on erbium-, ytterbium-, and Yb/Er co-doped optical fibers by exposing a suite of such fibers to radiation from a Co-60 source over long periods of time while monitoring the temporal and spectral decrease in transmittance of a reference signal. For same total doses, results show increased photodarkening in erbium-doped fibers relative to ytterbium-doped fibers, as well as significant radiation resistance of the co-doped fibers over wavelengths of 1.0-1.6 microns. All three types of fibers were seen to exhibit dose-rate dependences.