Development of a fiber-optic Cerenkov radiation sensor to verify spent fuel: Characterization of the Cerenkov radiation generated from an optical fiber

In this study, we characterized the Cerenkov radiation generated from optical fibers as fundamental research for the development of a fiber-optic Cerenkov radiation sensor to verify spent fuel. We measured the amount of Cerenkov radiation according to OH content and numerical aperture of the optical fiber. Also, we measured the Cerenkov radiation as functions of the length and the diameter of the optical fiber. As a result, the silica optical fibers with high numerical aperture and high OH content were efficient and stable for gathering the Cerenkov radiation generated in the optical fiber. Also, the intensity of the Cerenkov radiation generated in the optical fiber was proportional to the irradiated length and to the square of the irradiated diameter.