Abstract

Abstract
We present and numerically characterize a surface-plasmon-resonance sensor based on an H-shaped optical fiber. In our design, the two U-shaped grooves of the H-fiber are first coated with a thin gold layer and then covered by a uniform titanium dioxide layer to facilitate spectral tuning of the device. A finite element method analysis of the sensor indicates that a refractive-index resolution of up to 5.10(3) nm/RIU can be obtained. (C) 2011 Optical Society of America

Abstract
A novel configuration able to measure simultaneously relative humidity and temperature is proposed. The sensing head is based on a long-period fiber grating (LPG) coated with silica nanospheres in-line with a fiber Bragg grating. The polymeric overlay that changes its optical properties when exposed to different humidity levels is deposited onto the LPG using the electrostatic self-assembly technique (ESA), resulting into a humidity-induced shift of the resonance wavelength of the LPG. Considering the humidity range from 20% to 50% RH, a system resolution of 1.6% RH and 2.5 degrees C was achieved. At higher humidity, from 50% to 80% RH, the corresponding resolution values were 2.4% RH and 0.4 degrees C.

Abstract
A miniature fiber Bragg grating strain rosette is presented. The proposed design is made possible through the development of low curvature radius lossless tapers, thus offering advantages in miniaturization of the rosette configuration. We report on the experimental validation of the miniature rosette design, demonstrating its effective operation.

Abstract
The successive approximation Linear Parameter Varying systems subspace identification algorithm for discrete-time systems is based on a convergent sequence of linear time invariant deterministic-stochastic state-space approximations. In this chapter, this method is modified to cope with continuous-time LPV state-space models. To do this, the LPV system is discretised, the discrete-time model is identified by the successive approximations algorithm and then converted to a continuous-time model. Since affine dependence is preserved only for fast sampling, a subspace downsampling approach is used to estimate the linear time invariant deterministic-stochastic state-space approximations. A second order simulation example, with complex poles, illustrates the effectiveness of the new algorithm. © 2012 by World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.

Abstract