We propose and experimentally demonstrate a directional torsion sensor based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer formed in a multicore fiber (MCF) with a ~570-μm-long helical structure (HS). The HS was fabricated into the MCF by simply pre-twisting and then heating with a CO₂ laser splicing system. This device shows the capability of directional torsion measurement from −17.094 rad/m to 15.669 rad/m with the sensitivity of ~0.118 nm/(rad/m). Moreover, since the multiple interferences respond differently to torsion and temperature simultaneously, the temperature cross-sensitivity of the proposed sensor can be eliminated effectively. Besides, the sensor owns other merits such as easy fabrication and good mechanical robustness.

We present the fabrication of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) in a trench-assisted heterogeneous multicore fiber (MCF). Two obviously different Bragg reflection peaks are obtained due to the slight difference of refractive indices between the center core and the outer cores. To investigate the reflections of the two FBGs simultaneously, only a segment of multimode fiber is inserted between the lead-in single mode fiber and the MCF. The experimental results confirm that the curvature sensitivity of the FBG in the outer core is a sinusoidal function of the bending orientation angle. The maximum linear curvature sensitivity is about 0.128 nm/m ⁻¹ . The cross sensitivity to temperature or externally applied axial strain can be eliminated by discriminating the different responses of FBGs inscribed in outer cores and the center core. Thus this MCF with FBGs can be utilized as a directional bending sensor. Moreover, the proposed sensor offers several advantages, such as low cost and flexibility in fabrication.

Optical whispering gallery mode (WGM) microresonators have attracted great attention due to their remarkable proper-ties such as extremely high quality factor, small mode volume, tight confinement of modes, and strong evanescent field. All these properties of WGM microresonators have ensured their great potentials for applications, such as physical sensors, bio/chemical sensors and microlasers. In this mini-review, the key parameters and coupling conditions of WGM microresonators are firstly introduced. The geometries of WGM optical microcavities are presented based on their fabrication methods. This is followed by the discussion on the state-of-the-art applications of WGM microresonators in sensors and microlasers.

Recent progress in designing optimized microstructured optical fiber spreads an application scenario of optical fiber sensing. Here, we investigate the bending measurement based on a specially designed hollow core photonic crystal fiber (HC-PCF). Numerical simulation indicates that the bending sensitivity is mainly determined by the diameter of the hollow core and also depends on the coupled modes. Experimentally, a direction-independent bending sensor is fabricated by sandwiching a segment of specially designed HC-PCF into two segments of single mode fibers. The bending sensitivity of our device is improved 10 times by increasing the diameter of the hollow core. Bending measurement is validated at two orthogonal planes. The maximum sensitivity up to 2.8 nm/deg is obtained at 14° bending angle. Additionally, a low thermal sensitivity of 2.5 pm/°C is observed from 18°C to 1000°C. The sensor is robust, easy to fabricate and cost effective, which is promising in the field of small-angle bending measurement under a large temperature range.

We propose a highly sensitive bending sensor based on the intermodal interference properties of a strongly coupled two-dimentional waveguide array fiber (WAF). The interference resonance peaks formed by the SMF-WAF-SMF Mach–Zehnder interferometer are intrinsically the result of interference between the ${\mathrm{LP}}_{01}$-like supermode and other higher order supermodes, displaying supernormal sensitivity to bending in a wide curvature range. The bending sensitivity of the intermodal MZI is a quadratic function of curvature, and the resonance wavelength shift is up to 100 nm within a curvature range $0–10{\mathrm{m}}^{-1}$. The fabrication reveals briefness, and temperature response shows little impact on the bend sensing precision. The high bending sensitivity and wide sensing range can make this device a candidate for bending discrimination and measurement in widespread areas.