Novel microstructured fibres for optical sensing of gases

Abstract

Air/Silica Microstructured Optical Fibres (MOFs) provide a novel and enabling platform for absorption-based optical sensing of gases [1]. These fibres have arrays of wavelength-scale holes in their cross section, which run along the full length and define their waveguiding properties by way of their geometry and size. Awider variety of gUidance mechanisms and optical properties is possible in MOFs, as compared to conventional fibres, due to the high index contrast between air and glass, and the almost endless variety of structures that can be realised with this technology