Measurements of growth and decay of radiation induced attenuation during the irradiation and recovery of plastic optical fibres

In this work, we present the experimental study of the radiation-induced attenuation in step-index polymethyl–methacrylate based plastic optical fibre by exposure to low dose rate ionizing radiation. The low dose exposure has been found to induce significant permanent attenuation in plastic optical fibres. Based on the experimental results, the formula between radiation-induced attenuation and radiation dose is obtained accordingly. The recovery properties of plastic optical fibre also were investigated. The fibre begins to recover immediately after irradiation, but it does not fully recover, i.e. the irradiation leads to permanent damage of polymer.

► Plastic optical fibre was exposed to low dose rate ionizing radiation.
► The low dose exposure leads to significant permanent attenuation in POF.
► The POF begins to recover immediately after irradiation.
► The POF does not fully recover.
► The irradiation leads to permanent damage of POF.