Permanent and transient radiation induced losses in optical fibers

With the deployment of fiber optic data transmission links in military and domestic communications systems which may be subjected to various levels of ionizing radiation it is of interest to determine both the permanent and transient radiation-induced optical transmission loss in both fibers and relevant bulk glasses. Loss produced by both Co 60 γ-irradiation and by pulsed electron (0.5 MeV) irradiation in both high-loss and low-loss fibers is presented. Luminescence for some hundreds of microseconds following pulsed electron irradiation of low-loss fibers is briefly discussed in terms of possible electromagnetic interference effects.