Radiation Induced Attenuation of Space‐Grade Polarization‐Maintaining Optical Fibers in the UV–Visible Domains

We investigate the radiation‐induced attenuation (RIA) levels and kinetics in a Panda polarization‐maintaining optical fiber optimized to ensure single‐mode operation in the visible spectrum. The fiber was subjected to steady state X‐rays up to 3 kGy(SiO 2 ), with variations in temperature (from to ) and dose rate (from to ). Spectral analysis of the RIA was conducted to better identify the origins of this excess of loss, and a Gaussian decomposition model was employed to identify and characterize the predominant radiation‐induced color centers impacting the fiber response in this spectral domain.