Radiation-induced wave-front aberrations: a new approach

We present experimental evidence that the action of gamma radiation on an optical system can result in significant wave-front aberrations. To quantify such aberrations with sufficient accuracy for diffraction-limited optical systems, we have used a phenomenological approach based on the concept of dose coefficients. We have measured the dose coefficients for LaK9 and LaK9G15 glasses. Our results confirm this approach and indicate that radiation-induced wave-front aberrations cannot necessarily be neglected for space optical systems that use radiation-hardened glasses.