Solar Particle Event Detection With the LUMINA Optical Fiber Dosimeter Aboard the International Space Station

LUMINA, a fiber-based dosimeter, exploiting the radiation induced attenuation phenomenon, is operational inside the International Space Station since August 2021. We discuss in this article its capability to detect possible signatures of recent solar particle events through the related increase of the dose rate radiation level within the International Space Station (ISS). Our analysis over 699 days of operation shows that the two LUMINA channels, operating either in the visible or infrared domains, are able to detect the slight dose rate increase related to the solar flares, in particular in the Poles regions. The South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) remains well detected by both LUMINA channels, but no significant increase of the dose rates is noticeable during the solar events in this region. These results were obtained at dose rates close to the lower detection limit of our instrumentation, demonstrating the potential of fiber dosimeters, especially if less shielded, to detect the solar flares and monitor the radiation environment.