Abstract
In this work a modal interferometer based on arc-induced long-period gratings (LPGs) in a Mach-Zehnder configuration is evaluated as a sensing structure for environmental refractive index measurement. To interrogate this sensing device, coherence addressing and pseudo-heterodyne processing were used. The influence of geometric effects such as stretching, bending and twisting the interferometer on the sensitivity to refractive index changes was studied. It is shown that due to the antisymmetric nature of cladding modes in arc-induced LPGs, it is possible to tune the system sensitivity to external refractive index by simple mechanical action. The experimental results show that it is possible to tune the sensitivity to external refractive index by more than 50% by control of the curvature in the Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

Abstract
This work shows the changes of bending curvature sensitivity when the same long- period fibre grating has different phase shifts. From the knowledge that the coupling constant is reduced as curvature increases, we theoretically and experimentally assess the possibility that the bend sensitivity follows the grating spectrum evolution during the point- to-point fabrication technique. We also show that control of bend sensitivity can be applied to the simultaneous measurement of bend and temperature.

Abstract
In this work, an LPG-based Mach-Zehnder interferometer was evaluated as a sensing structure for environmental refractive index measurement. To interrogate this sensing device, coherence addressing and pseudo-heterodyne processing were used. The impact of stretching, bending and twisting the interferometer on the sensitivity to refractive index changes r was studied. It is shown that, due to the antisymmetric nature of cladding modes in arc-induced LPGs, it is possible to tune the system sensitivity by simple mechanical action.

Abstract
A long-period grating written in the SMF-28 fiber was heat treated at 1000 degrees C for 15 days. The spectrum of the grating shifted to longer wavelengths and the amplitude of the cladding mode resonances decreased as a result of structural relaxation. The background loss increased considerably for time longer than 200 h, and this loss is caused by devitrification of the fiber.

Abstract
In this work, an LPG-based Mach-Zehnder modal interferometer with a tapered fiber section between the two LPGs is studied as a sensing structure for measuring environmental refractive index. To interrogate this sensing device, coherence addressing and pseudo-heterodyne processing were used. A fiber taper was made between the two LPGs to improve and tailor the sensitivity of the sensor. Experimental results show that the sensitivity to external refractive index increases with the length of the taper and that the sensitivity enhancement is stronger for lower order cladding modes. © 2009 SPIE.

Abstract
The development of fiber optical sensor in which the sensing head comprises a long period fiber grating (LPG) whose attenuation peak varies as function of its bending was investigated. Various arc-induced LPGs were fabricated in the spectral region of the optical source. The spectral power evolution was taken from a streched to a bending position with the optical spectrum analyzer. The developed fiber optical sensor demonstrated its capability of micro-displacement measurement.