Radiation-induced attenuation effect on special optical fibers applied in space

In order to evaluate the adaptability of special optical fibers in space, a gamma radiation source was used to simulate the ionizing radiation environment. Four kinds of special optical fibers, including erbium-doped fiber, polarization-maintaining fiber, single-mode pure silica core fiber and multi-mode pure silica core fiber, which are potentially used in space were tested, and the data of the radiation induced attenuation against radiation dose were achieved. The energy band theory and the rate equation theory were introduced to analyze the mechanism of fiber's radiation effect. A multi-components saturating exponential model was deduced to describe the relationship between fiber's radiation induced attenuation and radiation dose, and the experimental data was fitted by the model. Compared to the results fitted by conventional power law model, the efficiency of multi-components saturating exponential model was confirmed. The mechanism of fiber's radiation induced attenuation was analyzed by using the underlying physical meaning of model parameters. Finally the adaptability of the tested special optical fibers in space radiation environment and its applicability in fiber optic systems were assessed.