Development of Optical Fibers and Image Guides with Superior Radiation Resistivity

Abstract

  We have investigated the radiation resistivity of pure silica optical fibers and image guides, which are usable under severer nuclear environment, for long years as the most important issue. Radiation resistive characteristics are mainly determined by pure silica core materials. Our research has been directed towards finding the most effective dopant in pure silica core materials to prevents damage in the visual regions with γ－ray irradiation. The results clearly revealed that the F－doped cores have the most superior radiation resistivity in all the core materials,especially better than OH doped cores which have been generally considered to be the best.

  Moreover,the close correlation between the radiation resistivity and the index of refraction of pure silica glass material was found for the first time by this research.