Abstract
In this work, a long-period fiber grating (LPG) based sensor was evaluated as a sensing device for micro-force measurement, in the order of micro Newtons. It was used an LPG fabricated by arc-inducted technique in a SMF-28 standard optical fiber. The optical fiber was fixed between two clamps with a separation of 150 mm with the middle of the LPG located at the center. Characterizations were performed in terms of temperature, curvature and strain. The grating was then used as a micro-force sensor by means of both curvature and strain, induced by a hung mass in a stretched fiber. Furthermore, the evaluation of a precurvature LPG was performed to assess if an increase of sensitivity is achieved. Micro-force sensitivity achieved with the stretched LPG was 1.41 nm/mN and it was demonstrated that its sensitivity can be enhanced to 5.14 nm/mN with a pre-curvature of 2.2 m–1 applied to the LPG, achieving a spectral resolution of at least 15.6 µN.

Abstract
The study of sensing materials to the detection of carbon dioxide (CO2) was achieved using p-nitrophenol (pNPh) as a colorimetric indicator. The sensing material was polymerized (NPLn), functionalized with 3-triethoxysilyl propyl isocyanate (IPTES) which sensitivity was tested in the form of a membrane as is and encapsulated in hollow silica nanoparticles. The sensing membranes were tested in a closed gas system comprising very precise flow controllers to deliver different concentrations of CO2 (vs. N2). The combination of the sensing membranes with multimode optical fibers and a dual-wavelength diode (LED) allows the measurement of the CO2 through the analysis of the induced absorbance changes with a self-referenced ratiometric scheme. The analysis of the sensing materials have shown significant changes in their chemical and physical properties and the results attest these materials with a strong potential for assessing CO2 dynamics in environmental, medical, and industrial applications.

Abstract
The fabrication of Turn Around Point Long Period Fiber Grating in standard SMF-28e fibers through femtosecond laser direct writing is demonstrated and its sensing sensitivity is improved by coating the fiber with titanium dioxide through physical vapor deposition. © 2021 The Author(s).

Abstract
The precise production of 4.5 µm off-axis first order FBG in an SMF-28e fiber through femtosecond laser direct writing is demonstrated. The off-axis FBG potential as sensing head for torsion sensing was successfully explored. © 2021 The Author(s).

Abstract
Optical fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometers were fabricated by combining two TiO2 coated LPFGs fabricated through femtosecond laser direct writing. Results of its refractometric characterization are presented and compared with the single LPFGs sensors. Wavelength sensitivity of 1175 nm/RIU at 1.38 and spectral resolution of 2.2×10-5 were achieved. © 2021 The Author(s).

Abstract
Optical tweezers based on metallic-coated tapered optical fibers with an aperture at the apex are fabricated and their sensing ability is tested. Preliminary results show robustness in differentiating between a trapped and no trapped state. © 2021 The Author(s).