Effect of the Fiber Coating on the Radiation Sensitivity of Type I FBGs.

We have studied the influence of the fiber coating on the radiation sensitivity of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs). These FBGs are draw tower gratings written before applying the coating in a fiber with a photosensitive 18-mol.% GeO2-doped core. Using a Co60 source we irradiated polyimide, acrylate, and ormocer coated gratings as well as mechanically stripped ormocer coated FBGs up to a 40-kGy dose. This total dose level corresponds to a near-earth space radiation environment mission. We show that the coating type must be taken into account for correctly interpreting ionizing radiation effects on FBGs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]