With the assistance of the evaluation algorithms based on the well-performed backpropagation neural network (BPNN), we quantitatively analyze the importance of the structural parameters of the supported helical microfiber (HMF) temperature sensor. The relative output intensities of HMF sensor at different temperatures are predicted by the BPNN with the HMF’s structural parameters as the input variables. The best-forecasted performance is obtained by the BPNN with one hidden layer of ten neurons. Compared with the actual values, the root-mean-square error (RMSE) and the correlation coefficient of the predicted values are 9.7 $\times \,\,10^{-3}$ dB and 99.84%, respectively. Based on the BPNN with precise prediction, the backward stepwise elimination and the holdback input randomization methods are used to quantitatively discuss the influence of the structural parameters on the output intensity of the HMF. The relative importance from high to low is the helical length (~38%), microfiber diameter (~27%), helical angle (~25%), and cone angle (~10%). The importance of four geometric parameters obtained by the two methods is ranked the same. Quantitative analysis of structural parameters relying on the well-predicted BPNN can give basic information on the structural characteristics of the HMF sensor, which helps to optimize the structure design of the optical sensors based on micro/nanofiber and provides a powerful guarantee for its practical application.
