Radiation Effects on Silica-Based Optical Fibers

Silica-based optical fibres exposed to ionising radiation undergo a series of microscopic and macroscopic changes that can compromise their performance in communication and sensing applications. At the atomic scale, energetic photons, electrons or neutrons displace atoms and create electronic excitations, leading to the formation of point defects such as nonbridging oxygen hole centres and E′ centres. These defects introduce absorption bands across ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared wavelengths, manifesting as radiation-induced attenuation, refractive index shifts and, in some instances, radiation-induced luminescence. The extent of damage depends on the radiation type, total dose, dose rate, fibre composition and dopant content. For example, fibres doped with germanium or phosphorus often exhibit higher sensitivity, whereas pure-silica cores and fluorine-doped claddings offer enhanced radiation tolerance. Mitigation strategies range from hydrogen loading and rare-earth codoping to optimised fibre fabrication techniques. Conversely, controlled defect creation enables dosimetry and harsh-environment sensing. The global drive for reliable optical links and distributed sensors in space missions, nuclear facilities and high-energy physics experiments has catalysed research into real-time monitoring of radiation effects, defect generation and recovery kinetics, and the integration of radiation-resistant gratings for robust in-field operation.

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Radiation Effects on Silica-Based Optical Fibers publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in radiation effects on silica-based optical fibers across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Radiation-induced attenuation: the increase in optical loss caused by absorption bands formed when radiation-induced defects absorb light.

Long period grating (LPG): a periodic modulation of refractive index along an optical fibre that couples core and cladding modes, sensitive to environmental changes.

Resonance wavelength shift: the change in the specific wavelength at which an LPG or grating couples light, indicative of refractive index or physical alterations.

Point defect: an imperfection in the glass network, such as a broken bond or vacancy, created by radiation and affecting optical properties.

Dopant: an element intentionally added to silica (e.g. germanium, phosphorus, fluorine) to modify refractive index and influence radiation response.

References

1. Overview of radiation induced point defects in silica-based optical fibers. Reviews in Physics (2019).
2. Optical properties of thin films monitored in real-time at high gamma radiation doses using long period fiber gratings. Optics & Laser Technology (2024).
3. Fiber Optic Sensors for Harsh and High Radiation Environments in Aerospace Applications. Sensors (2023).
4. Electron Radiation Impact on Long Period Gratings in Different Optical Fibers. IEEE Sensors Journal (2024).