The effect of gamma-ray irradiation on optical cables with Ge-doped single-mode fibers

The paper presents a study of the effect of gamma irradiation on Ge-doped optical cables. We measured in situ changes in attenuation during irradiation and after irradiation, during the relaxation process. The cables were irradiated with total doses of 67.7 kGy, 98.4 kGy, and 198.0 kGy at dose rates of 0.89 kGy/h, 6.4 Gy/h, and 0.76 kGy/h. The attenuation measurements were performed at five wavelengths: 1310 nm, 1383 nm, 1490 nm, 1550 nm, and 1625 nm, and radiation-induced attenuation was estimated at three wavelengths: 1310 nm, 1490 nm, and 1550 nm. Our results showed that attenuation for optical fiber irradiated with a total dose of 67.7 kGy was −4.04 dB, and attenuation of the fiber irradiated with a total dose of 198.0 kGy was −4.97 dB for the operating wavelength 1310 nm. Attenuations at 1550 nm were −4.97 dB for a dose of 67.7 kGy and −8.46 dB for a total dose of 198.0 kGy.