Accelerated in-situ Measurements of Radiation Induced Effects on Optical Fibers at IRR1 Research Nuclear Reactor

An apparatus was designed in order to test optical fibers and optical fiber sensors inside the core of the IRR1 research nuclear reactor in real-time, while irradiated up to a total dose of ~3MGy. The apparatus enables coiling 20 meter lengths of 4 types of different fibers into a very small space, to fit into the center of the core, thus amplifying attenuation effects. In parallel the response of Bragg Gratings in the fiber to irradiation was also monitored. This approach can lead to quicker and more efficient optical fiber sensor testing in ionizing radiation environments.