Gamma radiation induced loss in erbium doped optical fibers

Several single mode silica-based fibers with different levels of erbium concentrations have been tested under Co-60 gamma radiation. Irradiation has been performed at a dose-rate of similar to 30 Gy/h to a total dose of similar to 2 kGy. Transmission spectra were measured in situ in a spectral range from 1250 to 1630 nm. The measurements show no detectable change in the Er-ions luminescence and absorption spectrum profiles, while a significant (similar to dB/m/kGy at 1530 nm) increase in transmission losses is attributed to the silica host matrix modifications. This conclusion is drawn based on the post-irradiation photo-luminescence analyzes realized with a confocal micro-spectrometer (514.5 nm excitation, P similar to 2 mW). (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.