Study of in fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer based on two spaced 3-dB long period gratings surrounded by a refractive index higher than that of silica

The paper deals with the response of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer composed by two 3-dB long period gratings (LPG) with different external refractive indices higher than that of silica (leaky configuration). A rough analysis of the cladding propagation arising in leaky configuration has allowed us t o establish a model that is sufficient to describe the interferometer coupl ings evolution at the resonance. In particular, we have shown that the inte rferometer sensitivity depends strongly on its phase-shift a cp and is opti mized for a Delta phi equal to pi [2 pi] or 3 pi/4 [2 pi]. An experimental study was undertaken and allowed us to validate our model. Finally, a compa rison with a single LPG demonstrated an increased sensitivity to the extern al index, suggesting the conception of a new fiber sensor operating with ex ternal refractive indices higher than that of silica. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.