Effects of Environmental Nuclear Radiation on Optical Fibers

Effects of Environmental Nuclear Radiation on Optical Fibers By J. SHAH (Manuscript received March 11, 1975) A comparison of the available data on environmental radiation and on the radiation damage in fibers and glasses under controlled laboratory conditions leads us to the conclusion that long-term exposure to gamma rays and neutrons in the environment does not pose a serious problem for the optical fibers. Resistance of optical fibers to damage from long-term exposure to environmental nuclear radiation is an important factor to be considered when planning a communication system using these fibers. In this report, we first summarize the nature and intensity of the natural environmental radiation to which the fibers will be exposed, and then discuss the available data on radiation damage in optical fibers and glasses under controlled laboratory conditions. A comparison of these data leads us to conclude that long-term exposure to gamma rays and neutrons in the natural environment does not pose a serious problem for the optical fibers.