Remote optical fiber dosimetry

Optical fibers offer a unique capability for remote monitoring of radiation in difficult-to-access and/or hazardous locations. Optical fiber sensors c an be located in radiation hazardous areas and optically interrogated from a safe distance. A variety of remote optical fiber radiation dosimetry meth ods have been developed. All of the methods take advantage of some form of radiation-induced change in the optical properties of materials such as: ra diation-induced darkening due to defect formation in glasses, luminescence from native defects or radiation-induced defects, or population of metastab le charge trapping centers. Optical attenuation techniques are used to meas ure radiation-induced darkening in fibers. Luminescence techniques include the direct measurement of scintillation or optical excitation of radiation- induced luminescent defects. Optical fiber radiation dosimeters have also b een constructed using charge trapping materials that exhibit thermoluminesc ence or optically stimulated luminescence (OSL). (C) 2001 Published by Else vier Science B.V.