Microfiber-Based Bragg Gratings for Sensing Applications: A Review

Abstract

Microfiber-based Bragg gratings (MFBGs) are an emerging concept in ultra-small optical fiber sensors. They have attracted great attention among researchers in the fiber sensing area because of their large evanescent field and compactness. In this review, the basic techniques for the fabrication of MFBGs are introduced first. Then, the sensing properties and applications of MFBGs are discussed, including measurement of refractive index (RI), temperature, and strain/force. Finally a summary of selected MFBG sensing elements from previous literature are tabulated.

Keywords

• microfiber
• grating
• sensor
• optical fiber component
• refractive index
• temperature
• strain
• force
• optical fabrication
• focused ion beam