Micro-structured fiber Bragg gratings. Part II: Towards advanced photonic devices

In this paper, the authors present new and complex configurations involving micro-structured fiber Bragg gratings (MSFBGs) as advanced devices for sensing and communications applications. First, the spectral behaviour of multi-defect MSFBGs is investigated with particular regards to the possibility to carry out multi-parameter sensor by a single sensing element. More defects along the grating permit the formation of more defect states inside the band-gap ruled by the multiple interaction of the signal reflected by the unperturbed grating regions modulated by the phase delays of the perturbations. Here, a practical case based on a two-defect MSFBG is taken into account, revealing the potentiality to perform dual SRI measurements with a single MSFBG device. Finally, a novel configuration has been considered involving a single-defect MSFBG coated with nano-sized coatings with higher refractive index compared to the cladding one. The presence of a high refractive index coating along the thinned region would induce the mode redistribution and the transition from core modes to overlay modes if coating features are properly selected. Here, sensitivity characteristics of the proposed device are analysed and significant improvement in the sensing performances have been obtained, including the possibility to tune the maximum sensitivity in the desired range.