Abstract
A magneto-optical sensor, using a dual quadrature polarimetric processing scheme, was evaluated for current metering and protection applications in high voltage lines. Sensor calibration and resolution were obtained in different operational conditions using illumination in the 1550-nm band. Results obtained indicated the feasibility of interrogating such sensor via the optical ground wire (OPGW) link installed in standard high power grids. The polarimetric bulk optical current sensor also was theoretically studied, and the effects of different sources of error considering practical deployment were evaluated. In particular, the interference from external magnetic fields in a tree-phase system was analyzed. © 2012 The Author(s).

Abstract
An analytical model based on geometrical optics and multilayer transfer matrix method is applied to determine the sensing properties of tapered optical fiber based SPR sensors incorporating bimetallic (Gold and Silver) layers, particularly when phase interrogation is considered. Phase interrogation is studied as a methodology to attain enhanced sensitivities. The performance of the sensing heads as function of the bimetallic layers and taper parameters is analyzed. It is shown the bimetallic combination is capable to provide larger values of sensitivity compared with the single layer approach. The results derived from this study are guiding the experimental study of these structures.

Abstract
Many optical systems based on Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) have been developed for work as refractometers, chemical sensors or even for measure the thickness of metal and dielectric thin films. These kinds of systems are usually large, expensive and cannot be used for remote sensing. Optical fiber sensors based on SPR has been widely studied for the last 20 years with several configurations mostly using multimode optical fibers with large cores and plastic claddings. Sensors based on SPR present very high sensitivity to refractive index variations when compared to the traditional refractive index sensors. Here we propose a SPR sensor based in a single mode fiber. The fiber end is chemically etched by emersion in a 48% hydrofluoric acid solution, resulting a single mode fiber with the cladding removed in a small section. A resonance dip around 1580 nm was attained in good agreement with the simulation scenario that takes into account the real characteristics of the fiber.

Abstract
A sensing configuration based on an intensity optical fibre sensor for temperature measurement is reported. Two sensing heads, with identical geometrical configuration, connected in series are implemented. Each sensing head is placed between two fibre Bragg gratings (FBGs), being able to provide a self-referenced measurement, and thus eliminate errors that may arise from undesired intensity fluctuations in the configuration. The first FBG, placed before the aluminium tube, acts as the reference FBG, while the second FBG, placed after the aluminium tube, acts as the signal FBG. It is observed that the amplitude of the signal FBG decays when temperature increases, due to the increase of the ferrules' gap and as result of the material thermal expansion. The temperature response has a behaviour that corresponds to a polynomial fit of third order. The crosstalk between the two sensing heads in series is analysed. The temperature sensitivities obtained in the intervals regions of [36, 48.5] degrees C and [64, 85] degrees C are 2.67 x 10(-3) degrees C-1 and 1.74 x 10(-4) degrees C-1, respectively. Ten sensing heads with this configuration can be multiplexed in series network topology.

Abstract
In this paper a spun elliptically birefringent photonic crystal fiber is fabricated and characterized. Its performance as a current sensor, using a polarimetric configuration, was tested and compared against single mode fiber at 633 nm. In particular the sensor sensitivity and linearity was investigated using fiber loops with different radius or number of turns around the conductor. The results obtained show that the spun fiber (40 rotation per meter) is able to suppress quite effectively the effects of the bend induced birefringence as compared to the standard fiber.

Abstract
Tapering single-mode-multimode-single-mode structures to enhance sensitivity is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. 50-mm-long coreless multimode fiber sections are spliced between single-mode fibers (SMFs) and tapered. They are characterized in strain, and an increase in strain sensitivity is obtained with taper diameter reduction. Sensitivities as high as -23.69 pm/mu epsilon for the 15-mu m taper are attained. Temperature sensitivities also depend on taper diameter. A combination of two different diameter tapered SMF MMF-SMF structures, with cross-sensitivity to strain and temperature, is proposed as a sensing system for the simultaneous measurement of strain and temperature with resolutions of +/-5.6 mu epsilon and +/-1.6 degrees C, respectively. A good condition number of 3.16 is achieved with this sensing structure.