On the use of optical fibre sensors in nuclear environment

This paper aims to provide a new insight on the use of optical fibre sensors for nuclear applications. We report on the possibilities for radiation resistance improvement using hydrogenation techniques as well as on the behaviour of various sensors exposed to radiation such as the distributed temperature sensor based on Raman effect, high-temperature Bragg gratings and a gamma ray monitor using Cerenkov luminescence. A short discussion regarding the radiation resistance of photonic crystal fibres is also briefly presented. (author)