How can the effects of radiation be mitigated through the use of specialized fibers?
Specialized optical fibers can significantly mitigate the effects of radiation, such as Radiation-Induced Wavelength Shift (RIWS), by offering enhanced material stability and reduced susceptibility to radiation-induced changes.
Key approaches include:
- Radiation-Hardened Coatings: Fibers with specialized coatings, such as polyimide or gold, provide superior protection compared to standard acrylate coatings. These coatings are more resistant to degradation in harsh radiation environments, which helps maintain the fiber’s structural integrity and optical properties.
- Doping and Core Composition: Fibers with specific core compositions or specialized doping can be engineered to be less sensitive to radiation, reducing radiation-induced absorption and refractive index changes that cause wavelength shifts in Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs).
DCYS offers various FBG products built with specialized fibers for harsh environment applications:
OFSCN® Polyimide Fiber Bragg Gratings / Fiber Bragg Grating Strings (bare) and OFSCN® Gold-Coated Fiber Bragg Gratings / Fiber Bragg Grating Strings (bare) are examples of products designed to operate in challenging conditions, including high temperatures and potentially radiation-prone environments, due to their robust fiber materials and coatings.
Here is an image illustrating a gold-coated optical fiber, which is often used in such applications:
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