Abstract
Singlemode-multimode-singlemode fiber structures (SMS) based on distinct sections of a pure silica multimode fiber (coreless-MMF) with diameters of 125 and 55 mu m, were reported for the measurement of curvature and temperature. The sensing concept relies on the multimode interference that occurs in the coreless-MMF section and, in accordance with the length of the MMF section used, two fiber devices were developed: one based on a bandpass filter (self-image effect) and the other on a band-rejection filter. Maximum sensitivities of 64.7 nm.m and 13.08 pm/degrees C could be attained, for curvature and temperature, respectively, using the band-rejection filter with 55 mu m-MMF diameter. A proof of concept was also explored for the simultaneous measurement of curvature and temperature by means of the matrix method.

Abstract
Theoretical and experimental results of three different high-birefringent fiber loop mirrors with output ports are analyzed. For theoretical model, the Jones matrix analysis is used. The theoretical studies present similar results for all experimental configurations. The last configuration is tested as an interrogation system where the spectral response arises from the combination of the reference signal modulated by the sensor signal. The configuration is characterized in strain with the phase changes recovered from two quadrature phase signals, providing a sensitivity of 16 mrad/mu epsilon with a resolution of 1.9 mu epsilon.

Abstract
Different multiwavelength Raman fiber lasers based on a hybrid cavity setup are proposed. The lasing schemes are based in highly birefringent photonic crystal fiber loop mirrors combined with random cavities. The Hi-Bi PCF loop mirrors are characterized by an interferometric output; whereas the random mirrors are created by cooperative Rayleigh scattering due to Raman gain. This configuration allows suppression of Rayleigh associated noise growth, while taking advantage of it as an active part of the laser cavity, enhancing the achievable gain. The proposed fiber lasers present stable operation at room temperature although different output maxima and shapes depending on the fiber loop mirror/random mirror combination.

Abstract
sThe interrogation of a Fabry-Perot cavity through a dual wavelength Raman fiber laser is reported. The proposed sensing system is based on the use of a dual wavelength Raman fiber laser to generate two quadrature phase-shifted signals that allow the recovery of the temperature change sensed by the Fabry-Perot interferometric cavity. The dual wavelength Raman fiber laser is based on fiber Bragg gratings combined with a distributed mirror. The Fabry-Perot cavity is fabricated by splicing a short length of a suspended-core microstructured fiber to a single mode fiber. The use of this sensing system allows a passive and accurate interrogation of the temperature, while taking advantage of the Rayleigh scattering growth as a distributed mirror in the laser.

Abstract
A fibre Bragg grating structure arranged in a twisted configuration is proposed for sensing applications. The characteristics of the sensing head for measuring temperature, longitudinal strain and transverse load are analysed. It is shown that this configuration is particularly applicable for transverse load measurement. In this case a resolution of 0.002 N mm(-1)Hz(-1/2) was achieved.

Abstract
This work describes a fiber optic sensing structure that is sensitive to curvature, and features a low temperature-and strain cross-sensitivity. It is based on multimode interference, and relies on a singlemode-step index multimode-singlemode fiber structure. It was observed that the transmitted optical power in such a layout is highly sensitive to the wavelength of operation, and to the length of the multimode fiber. The optical spectrum exhibits two dominant loss bands, at wavelengths that have similar responses both to temperature and strain, but different responses to curvature. Based on this result, an interrogation approach is proposed that permits substantial sensitivity to curvature (8.7 +/- 0.1 nm m) and residual sensitivities to temperature and strain (0.3 +/- 0.1 pm degrees C(-1) and (-0.06 +/- 0.01) x 10(-6) m m(-1), respectively). The beam-propagation method was employed for modeling the propagation of light along the optical fiber sensing device proposed.