Abstract
Nowadays a growing number of scientists relies on optical spectral measurements for their research. The market is full of new plug-and-play equipment for spectral analysis that take the fuss out of the measurements. As with other instruments (computers, lasers, etc.) the researcher doesn't need any longer to work with someone with a post-graduate formation on the technology to be able to do excellent research. But, as in every instrument, there are limitations on the instrument use that affect its precision and resolution. Currently there is in the market a large variety of equipment for spectral measurements. They range from the huge long focal length double pass monochromators to the small pocket size USB connected array spectrometers. The different configurations have different sensitivities on the light input system, light intensity, coherence, polarization, etc. In this talk we will discuss a few of the limitations in spectral measurements that can be found in experimental setups.

Abstract
A review in fiber post-processing for sensing applications is presented. The review is divided in three parts. Tapers devices, chemical etching for Fabry-Perot cavities and focused ion beam (FIB) as post-processing applied in optical fibers are considered. The most recent results as sensing elements are shown. © 2014 OSA.

Abstract
In this paper we address soliton-soliton interactions in a nonlinear cubic-quintic optic media, using for that purpose numerical methods and high performance graphics processor unit (GPU) computing. We describe an implementation of GPU-based computational simulations of the generalized Nonlinear Schrodinger Equation, obtaining simulations more than 40 times faster relative to CPU-based simulations, especially in the multidimensional case. We focus our attention in the study of soliton collisions and scattering phenomena that, offering the possibility of steering light with light, open a path towards future optical devices.

Abstract
This paper presents the performance analysis of two new sensing configurations of refractive index based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in microstructured D-type optical fiber with a thin gold layer using simulations obtained with COMSOL Multiphysics. The configurations are analyzed in terms of the intensity of the electric field. The results are compared with a conventional SPR D-type optical fiber sensor for refractive index measurement.

Abstract
In this work we show numerically the potential of using a metamaterial constituted by ordered arrays of silver nanowires as a sensor for refractive index changes of a surrounding dielectric medium. The results show a strong dependence of the reflectance spectrum on the refractive index of the dielectric medium.

Abstract
The recent burst of R&D activity in Plasmonics, associated with the possibility of materials nanostructuring which enables the access to metamaterials, has been strongly impacting many branches of optics such as imaging, data recording and sensing. This talk details the factors that turned the combination Plasmonics and Metamaterials a huge opportunity to optical sensing.© OSA 2014.