Plastic optical fibre sensors and devices

Abstract

This paper considers the impact of recent developments in polymer optical fibre (POF) and its application in optical fibre sensors and optical measurement. A discussion of techniques developed for POF-based sensors and devices, and their applications includes sensors to measure flow, biofilm growth, turbidity, toxicity, humidity, rotation and fluorescence. Techniques to photoinduce refractive index changes and physical gratings into POF, and chemically to remove the cladding and taper plastic optical fibres are described, along with the use of fluorescent dye-doped plastic optical fibres (FPOF) in sensors and devices.