Abstract
A curvature sensor based on a highly birefringent (Hi-Bi) photonic crystal fiber inserted into a Sagnac interferometer is demonstrated. For this purpose, a novel Hi-Bi photonic crystal fiber was designed and fabricated. Half of the microstructured region of the photonic crystal fiber was composed by large diameter holes, while the other half contained small diameter holes. Because of this geometry, the fiber core was shifted from the center and high birefringence appears in the optical fiber. Curvature was applied for three different fiber directions for a range of 0.6-5 m(-1). Temperature and longitudinal strain was also characterized for constant curvature. The configuration showed insensitivity to these two physical parameters. (C) 2008 Optical Society of America.

Abstract
A Sagnac interferometer with a section of a polarization maintaining side-hole fiber for multiparameter measurement is proposed. The sensor was experimentally demonstrated to be sensitive to torsion, temperature, and longitudinal strain, simultaneously The birefringence in the investigated side-hole fiber is induced simultaneously by the elliptical shape of a germanium-doped core and by field overlap with the air holes surrounding the core. The latter effect is purely geometrical and causes high chromatic dispersion of the group birefringence in the long wavelength range, which results in a different period of spectral interference fringes. A different wavelength response is obtained for each interference fringe peak when the fiber is subjected to torsion, temperature, or longitudinal strain. A matrix equation for simultaneous measurement of the three parameters-torsion, temperature, and longitudinal strain-is also proposed. (C) 2008 Optical Society of America

Abstract
This work presents two distinct configurations based on phase-wavelength conversion using a ring fibre laser with two different long period gratings interferometer topologies. The sensors are interrogated by analysing the wavelength change of the emission laser, which is directly dependent on the interferometer phase change. The first configuration integrates a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, which is based on a pair of long period gratings and is used as sensing head for bending radius and longitudinal strain measurement. The second configuration, comprehends a Michelson interferometer, which is based on a single LPG and a fibre end mirror and is used as a liquid level sensor or as an optical refractometer.

Abstract
A high birefringent D-type fibre loop mirror used as refractometer is reported. A chemical etching was applied to the D-type fibre and presented high sensitivity for the surrounding medium refractive index. The refractometer was tested with different refractive indices in liquids and characterized in temperature, showing a linear and independent response to both parameters. With these results the refractometer can perform simultaneous measurement of refractive index and temperature.

Abstract
A high birefringent D-type fiber loop mirror used as refractometer is reported. The D-type fiber section was etched by hydrofluoric acid (HF) being sensitive to the surrounding-medium refractive index allowing the measurement of different refractive indices in liquids. The refractometer was also tested in temperature, and simultaneous measurement of refractive index and temperature was demonstrated. © 2008 IEEE.

Abstract
The application of hollow-core photonic crystal fibers for gas sensing is reviewed and discussed. Some problems with splicing to standard fibers and gas diffusion into the core are addressed. Current work at INESC Porto in the development of sensing heads and interrogation units is also reported.