Influence of gamma-ray irradiation on Faraday effect of Cu-doped germano-silicate optical fiber

Influence of gamma-ray irradiation on the Faraday effect of the Cu-doped germano-silicate optical fiber was investigated. The Verdet constant of the gamma-ray irradiated optical fiber at 660 nm was measured to be 3.07 rad T−1 m−1, 1.46 times larger than that of before the irradiation at total dose of 1200 Gy. Cu-related radiation-induced defect centers and Cu metal particles which were reduced from Cu2+ ions by the irradiation are thought to be responsible for the increase in the Verdet constant of the optical fiber.