Effect of color center absorption on temperature dependence of radiation-induced attenuation in optical fibers at near infrared wavelengths

In order to explain the contradictory results on the temperature dependence of the radiation-induced attenuation (RIA) in optical fiber, the temperature dependence of color center absorption was proposed as a complementary explanation. The temperature tests were conducted on the four prototype optical fibers after irradiation. During the temperature tests the RIA in the fibers at the near infrared (NIR) wavelengths was measured continuously. The temperature dependence of color center absorption was verified. The competition between the thermally color center annealing and the temperature-dependent absorption of color center was observed. The test results show that the temperature dependent absorption of the color center at NIR wavelengths is an important factor influencing the temperature dependence of RIA besides the thermally driven color center generation, conversion and annealing process.