Strain and temperature sensitivity of a single-mode polymer optical fiber.

We have measured the optical phase sensitivity of fiber based on poly(methyl methacrylate) under near-single-mode conditions at 632.8 nm wavelength. The elongation sensitivity is 131 +/- 3 x 10(5) rad m(-1) and the temperature sensitivity is -212 +/- 26 rad m(-1) K(-1). These values are somewhat larger than those for silica fiber and are consistent with the values expected on the basis of the bulk polymer properties.

Continuous wave ultraviolet light-induced fiber Bragg gratings in few- and single-mode microstructured polymer optical fibers.

We report observations and measurements of the inscription of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) in two different types of microstructured polymer optical fiber: few-mode and an endlessly single mode. Contrary to the FBG inscription in silica microstructured fiber, where high-energy laser pulses are a prerequisite, we have successfully used a low-power cw laser source operating at 325 nm to produce 1 cm long gratings with a reflection peak at 1570 nm. Peak reflectivities of more than 10% have been observed.

Distributed load sensor by use of a chirped moiré fiber Bragg grating.

A chirped moiré fiber Bragg grating has been demonstrated to be capable of measuring the magnitude, position, and footprint of a transverse load. The device provides an average spatial resolution of 164 microm and has a load accuracy of 0.15 N/mm, or 50 microepsilon.