Gamma radiation effects in Er-doped silica fibers

The radiation behavior of a commercially available Er-doped fiber is evaluated under varying gamma dose rates with in-situ spectral loss measurements. Complementary post-irradiation photoluminescence measurements allow us to better understand the radiation effects. Our results suggest that the microscopic environment of the Er/sup 3+/ ions is not much affected by the gamma irradiation, unlike the host matrix. We discuss the impact for potential applications of these commercially available fibers in radiation environments.