Simplifying the design of microstructured optical fibre pressure sensors.

In this paper, we propose a way to simplify the design of microstructured optical fibres with high sensitivity to applied pressure. The use of a capillary fibre with an embedded core allows the exploration of the pressure-induced material birefringence due to the capillary wall displacements and the photoelastic effect. An analytical description of pressure-induced material birefringence is provided, and fibre modal characteristics are explored through numerical simulations. Moreover, a capillary fibre with an embedded core is fabricated and used to probe pressure variations. Even though the embedded-core fibre has a non-optimized structure, measurements showed a pressure sensitivity of (1.04 ± 0.01) nm/bar, which compares well with more complex, specially designed fibre geometries reported in the literature. These results demonstrate that this geometry enables a novel route towards the simplification of microstructured fibre-based pressure sensors.

Analysis and optimization of an all-fiber device based on photonic crystal fiber with integrated electrodes.

We present both numerical and experimental studies of an all-fiber device based on the integration of metallic electrodes into photonic crystal fibers (PCF). The device operation consists on applying electrical current to the electrodes which, by Joule effect, expand and squeeze the PCF microstructure in a preferential direction, altering both phase and group birefringence. We investigate the effect of integrating electrodes into the fiber and the dependence of the device sensitivity on the electrode configuration and composition.

Ultrahigh-birefringent squeezed lattice photonic crystal fiber with rotated elliptical air holes.

We report an experimental realization of a highly birefringent photonic crystal fiber as a result of compressing a regular hexagonal structure. The experimental measurements estimate a group birefringence of approximately 5.5x10(-3) at 1550 nm in good agreement with the numerical results. We study the influence of compressing the regular structure at different directions and magnifications, obtaining a method to realistically enhance the phase birefringence while moderating the group birefringence.

All-fiber devices based on photonic crystal fibers with integrated electrodes.

A special kind of microstructured optical fiber is proposed and fabricated in which, in addition to the holey region (solid core and silica-air cladding), two large holes exist for electrode insertion. Either Bi-Sn or Au- Sn alloys were selectively inserted into the large holes forming two parallel, continuous and homogeneous internal electrodes. We demonstrate the production of a monolithic device and its use to externally control some of the guidance properties (e.g. polarization) of the fiber.

Microstructured-core optical fibre for evanescent sensing applications.

The development of microstructured fibres offers the prospect of improved fibre sensing for low refractive index materials such as liquids and gases. A number of approaches are possible. Here we present a new approach to evanescent field sensing, in which both core and cladding are microstructured. The fibre was fabricated and tested, and simulations and experimental results are shown in the visible region to demonstrate the utility of this approach for sensing.