Abstract
The quantization procedure for low-frequency modes in a plasma has been generalized to include dust-Coulomb waves (DCWs) which are driven by the grain charge oscillations in a dusty plasma. We thus introduce the concept of "chargeon", the elementary excitation of the ultra low-frequency electrostatic fields in a dusty plasma, which are mainly supported by the grain charge oscillations. Their characteristic features are similar to the usual phonons, but they correspond to very different physical properties of the medium.

Abstract
A theoretical and experimental study of self-referencing fiber optic intensity sensors based on Michelson and on Mach-Zehnder configurations is conducted. Via the definition of the measurement parameter R, sensor linearity and sensitivity are analyzed. Theoretical and experimental results are compared, considering the problem of sensor design and optimization. The choice between the hive configurations is addressed; the Michelson one is recommended for practical reasons. (C) 2000 Society of Photo-Optical instrumentation Engineers. [S0091-3286(00)03406-1].

Abstract
A theoretical and experimental characterisation of a self-referenced fibre optic intensity sensor based on a multiple beam Sagnac configuration is conducted. Via the definition of the measurement parameter (R parameter) sensor linearity and sensitivity are analysed. Theoretical and experimental results are compared, being considered the problem of sensor design and optimisation.

Abstract
An analysis is performed of the degradation of the signal readout of fiber optic Bragg grating sensors demodulated using the serrodyne interferometric technique. Experimental results are presented that validate the analysis. It is also shown that synchronous detection of the interferometric signal referenced to the serrodyne waveform that modulates the phase of the readout interferometer allows the elimination of the system do offset introduced by the serrodyne flyback, (C) 2000 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.

Abstract
The results of an investigation of the performance of a time-division-multiplexed (TDM) fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor array using a tunable laser source are reported. The system performance is found limited by the extinction ratio of the optical pulse modulator used for pulse amplitude modulation. Formulas that relate the crosstalk to the extinction ratio of the optical pulse modulator, the modulation parameters of the tunable laser, and the optical path differences among sensing channels are derived. Computer simulation shows that an array of 20 FBG sensors with 3 µe resolution can be realized with a commercially available single Mach-Zehnder type optical pulse modulator of -35-dB extinction ratio.

Abstract
The potential of different fiber Bragg grating pairs for simultaneous sensing of strain and temperature is analyzed. We demonstrate that interferometric interrogation of a fiber grating written in bow-tie fiber enables strain and temperature to be simultaneously determined. This is achieved by independent measurement of the shift in the wavelengths of the reflected light from the grating components along the fast and the slow axes of the hi-bi fiber. A detailed theoretical analysis is presented that includes the basic sensing principle, sensor design and demodulation scheme. The performance of the proposed technique in simultaneous measurement of temperature and strain is experimentally demonstrated and resolutions of +/-2.5 degrees C/root Hz and +/-26 mu epsilon/root Hz are obtained for a fiber with birefringence of B = 5.5 x 10(-4). (C) 2000 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. [S0091-3286(00)00808-4].