The interplay between photo-and radiation-induced darkening in ytterbium-doped fibres

Jean-Bernard Duchez (1) , Franck Mady (1) , Yasmine Mebrouk (1) , Nadège Ollier (2) , Mourad Benabdesselam (1)

1 LPMC - Laboratoire de physique de la matière condensée
2 LSI - Laboratoire des Solides Irradiés - Irradiated Solids Laboratory

This letter demonstrates a remarkable interplay between photo-and radiation-induced darkening of ytterbium-doped alumino-silica optical fibres operated in amplifying conditions and harsh environments (as e.g. in space-based applications). Influences of the pump power, ionizing dose and dose rate on this interaction are characterized. The pump is capable of accelerating or slowing-down the radiation-induced darkening build-up depending on the ionizing dose. The steady state photo-radio-darkening level is independent of the dose and at least equal to the equilibrium level of pure photo-darkening. This lower limit is notably reached at low dose rates, including those encountered in space. We therefore argue that photo-resistant ytterbium-doped fibres will resist against a space mission, whatever the dose.

Domaines: Optique / photonique

Jean-Bernard Duchez, Franck Mady, Yasmine Mebrouk, Nadège Ollier, Mourad Benabdesselam. The interplay between photo-and radiation-induced darkening in ytterbium-doped fibres. Optics Letters, 2014, ⟨10.1364/OL.39.005969⟩. ⟨hal-01307452⟩