Radiation Vulnerability of Fiber Bragg Gratings in Harsh Environments

Abstract : The difficulties encountered in the implementation of a temperature or strain sensor based on fiber Bragg grating (FBG) in a harsh radiative environment are introduced. We present the choices made to select both a radiation-resistant fiber in terms of transmission and also the grating inscription conditions necessary to write radiation tolerant FBGs in such fibers with a femtosecond laser. The radiation response of these gratings was also studied under radiation at dose up to 1 MGy. The comparison between Ge-free and Ge-doped fibers was highlighted.