Optical fibres have been exploited as sensors for many years and they provide a versatile platform with a small form factor. Long-period gratings (LPGs) operating at and around the phase matching turning point (PMTP) possess some of the highest sensitivities to external perturbations in the family of LPG-based sensor devices. This type of optical fibre grating has been demonstrated as a sensor for use in a wide range of applications. In this review chapter, an overview of PMTP LPGs is presented and the key developments, findings and applications are highlighted. The fabrication considerations and sensor limitations are also discussed.
Part of the book: Applications of Optical Fibers for Sensing