KU1 and KS-4V quartz glass lenses for remote handling and diagnostic optical transmission systems

Abstract Radiation resistant KU1 and KS-4V quartz glasses are candidate ITER materials for remote handling and diagnostic optical transmission components such as windows, lenses, and optical fibres. 60 Co gamma irradiations at different temperatures have been carried out to study ionizing radiation effects on refractive index, optical absorption, and the quality of lenses made from KU1 and KS-4V. No effect has been observed on the refractive index of KU1 for irradiations up to 100 MGy and temperatures up to 170 °C. Lenses made from both materials show acceptable quality before and after irradiation. Irradiation induced absorption is confined to the blue and UV region, however, KS-4V shows anomalous behaviour with irradiation temperature. In situ 1.8 MeV electron irradiations have been used to clarify this anomalous absorption.