Recent advances in radiation-hardened fiber-based technologies for space applications

Abstract

In this topical review, the recent progresses about radiation-hardened fiber-based technologies are detailed focusing examples on space applications. In the first part of the review, we introduce the operational principles of the various fiber-based technologies considered for use in radiation environments: passive optical fibers for data links, diagnostics; active optical fibers for amplifiers and laser sources as well as the different classes of point and distributed fiber sensors: gyroscopes, Bragg gratings, Rayleigh, Raman or Brillouin-based distributed sensors. Second, we describe the state-of-the-art regarding our knowledge of the radiation effects on the performances of these devices, from the microscopic effects observed in the amorphous silica glass used to design the fiber core and cladding to the macroscopic responses of the fiber-based devices and systems. Third, we present the recent advances regarding the hardening (improvement of the radiation tolerance) of these technologies acting at the material, device or system levels. From this review, the potential of the fiber-based technologies for operation in radiation environments is demonstrated and the future challenges to be overcome in the next years is presented.