Polarisation optics for monomode fibre sensors

Polarimetric monomode optical-fibre techniques offer many advantages for sensing applications. Both line-integral and line-differential methods may be used. Special features of the polarisation behaviour of monomode fibres, which arise in a variety of sensors, are discussed, with particular reference to the separation of linear- and circular-birefringence components. Possible uses of nonlinear optical effects and the future requirements for specialised fibres are also discussed.