Effects of neutrons and gamma-rays on polymethylmethacrylate plastic optical fiber

To, Kentaro  ; Sakasai, Kaoru  ; Nakamura, Tatsuya  ; Soyama, Kazuhiko  ; Shikama, Tatsuo*

Plastic optical fibers (POFs) are very useful and widely used for signal transmission because they have the following advantages: (1) they do not produce electrical noise, (2) they are inexpensive and lightweight, and (3) they have wide optical signal bands. In this study, the effects of 14-MeV neutron and -ray irradiation on a POF were investigated. Strong radiation damage (radiation-induced transmission loss) was caused by irradiation with both neutrons and -rays, particularly at short wavelengths. To determine the effects of neutron and -ray irradiation, the amount of energy absorbed in the PMMA POF was calculated by using a Monte Carlo simulation using PHITS code. The similar radiation effect with both neutrons and -rays was observed at an absorbed energy less than 510 eV.