Influence of the coating type on the radiation sensitivity of FBGs

Andrei Goussarov, C. Chojetzki, I. Mckenzie, Francis Berghmans

    Research outputpeer-review

    Abstract

    The ionizing radiation response of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) as a function of grating fabrication parameters and fiber characteristics has been investigated in a number of studies. In the present work we analyze a particular aspect of the problem, which was not considered up to now: the influence of the fiber coating on the radiation sensitivity of FBGs. The FBGs used in our study are draw tower gratings written before applying the coating in a fiber with a photosensitive 18 mol.% GeO2-doped core. We irradiated polyimide, acrylate and ormocer coated gratings as well as mechanically stripped ormocer coated FBGs using a Co60 radiation source up to a 40 kGy dose. This total dose level corresponds to a near-Earth space radiation environment mission. We show that the coating type must be taken into account for correctly interpreting ionizing radiation effects on FBGs. Our analysis also shows that a properly designed coating can enhance or decrease the grating radiation sensitivity. Therefore, the results are of interest for both dosymetry and space communication applications of the FBGs.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationOptical Sensors 2008
    Place of PublicationBellingham, WA, United States
    Pages700309-700309
    StatePublished - Apr 2008
    EventOptical Sensors 2008 - Strasbourg
    Duration: 7 Apr 200811 Apr 2008

    Publication series

    NameSPIE Proceedings
    Number7003

    Conference

    ConferenceOptical Sensors 2008
    Country/TerritoryFrance
    CityStrasbourg
    Period2008-04-072008-04-11

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