Sensing with microstructured optical fibres

The optical and geometrical properties of microstructured optical fibres pr esent new alternatives for a range of sensing applications. We present the design criteria for achieving significant overlap between the light guided in the fibre and the air holes and hence for producing efficient evanescent field devices. In addition, the novel dispersive properties combined with the tight mode confinement possible in holey fibres make ultra-broadband si ngle-mode sources and new source wavelengths a possibility. Microstructurin g technology can be readily extended to form multiple-core fibres, which ha ve applications in bend/deformation sensing. Finally, fibre-based atom wave guides could ultimately be used for rotational or gravitational sensing.