The transmission performance in a Co-60 radiation environment of a polymer clad/pure silica core fiber is evaluated near both the 850 and 1300 nm telecommunications windows, and at +22 °C and -55 °C. The evaluation includes an in situ measurement of radiation-induced loss up to 10 krad and fading of this loss to 105 seconds after cessation of exposure. It is found that at room temperature superior radiation resistance is afforded near 850 nm. However, in spite of larger intrinsic losses, it was found that at -55°C lower total attenuation during irradiation and up to several hundred seconds after exposure is available at the longer-wavelength window. Furthermore, as average transmitted power increases, the doses during irradiation increase and the times during recovery decrease for this period of superior performance. These results suggest the longer wavelength may be better suited for shorter transmission links intolerate of momentary interruptions.

Date Published: 15 January 1990
PDF: 6 pages
Proc. SPIE 1174, Fiber Optics Reliability: Benign and Adverse Environments III, (15 January 1990); doi: 10.1117/12.963229

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 1174:
Fiber Optics Reliability: Benign and Adverse Environments III
Roger A. Greenwell; Dilip K. Paul, Editor(s)