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.% GeO
₂
-doped core. Using a Co
⁶⁰
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.