Superstructure microfiber grating characterized by temperature, strain, and refractive index sensing

Abstract

Microfiber gratings with diameters in the subwavelength scale have recently attracted much attention for developments of sensitive sensors; however, a specific structure is usually chosen for sensing one parameter according to the optical response. In this work, a superstructure microfiber grating combined with microfiber Bragg grating and long-period microfiber grating is reported for the first time. The proposed superstructure is formed by ultraviolet laser inscription and femtosecond laser scratching techniques, which simultaneously endows the unique properties of the two individual gratings. The reflection and transmission spectral characteristics differing to conventional counterparts are demonstrated. The responsivities of the two gratings to temperature, strain and refractive index are investigated, providing a possibility for simultaneous multi-parameter sensing.