Thad J. Englert

Abstract: A brief overview of nuclear radiation processes is presented. Units of radiation energy and dose are discussed. Interactions of radiation processes with matter are analyzed in order to understand radiation and its energy. Range is discussed in relation to structures of matter in representative materials. Specific emphasis is placed on interaction of these radiation processes with soils in order to consider the ultimate effects of radiation on optical fibers located in a medium of soil and soil types. The shielding effects of soils are analyzed for the purpose of understanding radiation damage to any buried cable that may contain optical fibers.

Keywords: optical fiber; shielding; absorption coefficient; atomic structure; bremsstrahlung; build-up; buried cable; ionizing radiation; nuclear particle absorption; photon absorption; radiation damage; radiation shielding; soil attenuation; x-ray absorption

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