Radiation hardness study on fused silica

Radiation hardness tests have been carried out on fused silica samples of the highest optical grade from three different manufacturers (Suprasil, Lithosil and Corning). The samples were irradiated with protons in order to emulate the expected accumulated radiation damage over the entire life span of the future PANDA experiment. Changes in optical properties were the primary focus of this study. The optical transmission over a broad wavelength band ranging from UV to visible light was investigated using a commercial spectrophotometer. In addition, changes of the polished surface were studied using an interferometer. No evidence for changes in transmission and surface quality was found within the obtained precision.