A RADIATION-HARD REMOTE-IMAGING SYSTEM

THIS PROJECT ADDRESSES THE PROBLEM OF REMOTE INSPECTION OF HIGHLY RADIOACTIVE INSTALLATIONS. A REMOTE-IMAGING SYSTEM WILL BE CONSTRUCTED THAT EMPLOYS COHERENT FIBER OPTIC BUNDLES TO TRANSFER AN IMAGE FROM A REFLECTIVE TELESCOPE TO A LOCATION WHERE STANDARD IMAGING TECHNIQUES CAN BE USED. THIS APPROACH DIFFERS FROM OTHER SIMILAR APPROACHES IN THE USE HERE OF HOLLOW, FLUID-FILLED FIBERS. THE USE OF HIGH INDEX OF REFRACTION FLUID IN THE FIBERS PROVIDES FOR CONFINEMENT OF THE LIGHT IN THE FIBER. THE FLUID CAN BE CONTINUOUSLY REPLENISHED BY FORCING IT TO FLOW TOWARD THE HIGH RADIATION END TO SWEEP OUT THE FLUID THAT HAS BEEN RADIATION DAMAGED. THE FEASIBILITY OF CONSTRUCTING SUCH A SYSTEM USING A FIBER BUNDLE AND A SIMPLE VIDICON-BASED IMAGEACQUISITION SYSTEM WILL BE EXPLORED. ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED INCLUDE QUALITY OF IMAGE TRANSFER, FLUID FLOW RATES AND PRESSURES REQUIRED, AND ANALYTICAL PROJECTIONS OF COMPARATIVE RADIATION HARDNESS.