Radioluminescence of some optical fibres

Measurement of radiation fields with small scintillators as detectors for radiation dose is an attractive method provided that the scintillator luminescence can be discriminated against other unwanted signals. In diagnostic radiology radioluminescence of the optical fibres required for a transmission of the luminescence to an optical detector is the only source for such an impairment of the signal. To find fibres with low radioluminosity a survey of ten commercial fibres including polystyrene (PS), polystyrene wavelength shifting fibres, poly-methylmetacrylate (PMMA) and silica as fibre core material was made. Measurements were made with two photomultipliers of different spectral response and a clinical x-ray unit. Lowest radioluminosity was obtained with PMMA fibres. Depending on spectral sensitivity of the multiplier clear PS fibres give five to ten times the luminescence of PMMA. From the silica fibres only one high-OH fibre gave comparable results for wavelength up to 520 nm. Wavelength shifting fibres and silica fibres with low OH-content show strong fluorescence and are not suitable fibre materials. (note)