This paper defines the field of speical optical fibers. Classification of tailored fibers was intorduced. The characteristics of main families of such fibers were presented. There were discussed the following fibers: isotropic made of soft glass, of complex refraction - including ring-index, polarization maintaining and polarizing, elliptical, holey with marco holes and porous, nonlinear, active, high power, Bragg, tapered, plastic, technologically sensitized, multicore and IR.

This work analyzes theoretically, technologically and practically a class of low-loss single-mode optical fibers with ring refractive index profile. The fibers are considered for long distance signal transmission as well as photonic signal processing. Trunk transmission, ring index fibers have shifted and flattened dispersion characteristics and much larger effective area as compared with standard step-index single-mode. Signal processing, device oriented, ring-index fibers have a unique capability of transmitting either quasi planar modes for large ring diameters or the second order mode in a quasi single-mode regime at lossy discrimination of the fundamental mode, for small ring diameters. Ring-index fibers can maintain singlemode transmission for considerable values of normalized frequency for particular cases of the refractive index profile. Theoretically predicted features of single-mode ring index fibers were confirmed experimentally on samples manufactured by the author is cooperation with TU of Bialystok. Parts of the work were published in Optica Applicata and reprinted with permission. Part of the work was realized within the KBN grant 4-T08D-001-22 submitted to Technical University of Bialystok.

A technology of a new kind of optical fibers called 'holey fibers' (HF) has been developed in the past several years. Differences of coefficients between the core and the cladding occurs because in the clading area there are many parallel holes along all the fiber length. This study presents the method of preparation of HF fibers which is used in our laboratory. The strucutre of the fibers and their spectral attenuation as well as further possibilities of modification of their construction.

Narrowband fiber Bragg filters are commonly used in telecommunication, laser technology and metrology. Special techniques have to be used to achieve the sufficient resolution in the subnanometer range. The modernized standard monochromator system with the resolution of 0.16 nm is presented. Measurement results for some filter designs are presented.

A new type special waveguides' production technology requires elaborating of a way of metals' introduction into the internal structure of the fibers. This study presents a way and an apparatus used for liquid phase silver layers' obtaining on the capillaries' inner surfaces, which are an integral part of waveguides, as a result of a redox process. The preliminary results of the research over silver layers' preparation reveal that the process is rather heterogeneous and the obtained layers of a few μm thickness and are porous.

The conditions of synthesis of light transmitting glasses in mean infrared were elaborated and their optical and thermal properties investigated. A fiber transmitting light in the range 0,5-7,6 μm with the numerical aperture Na=0,95 was obtained.

This work presents the new method that allows determining the polarization state of light which propagate in optical fibers. One shown also the experimental results of application the elaborated method for mesaure of magnetic field of high inteisty. The final aim of this investigation will be the elaboration of magnetic intensity sensors, which together fiber optic temperature sensors and intensive of electric field sensors make possible, in the future, to monitor the state of work of electromagnetic power arrangements, first of all - high voltage power transformers.

The case of the transfer of a luminous flux by light fiber illuminated by a spatial light source has been considered. This source occupies the whole half-space and is characterized by a constant value of luminance. The result of the analysis are the curves of luminous intensity of light leaving the fiber and the curve of radiant efficiency of the whole-light optical system.

The following article presents the results of research connected with modeling lighting optical fibers of the 'side-core' type. Distribution of the luminous flux was caused by its emission from the surface of the cladding, which is modified in such a way that its refractive index is larger than the refractive index of the material of the core. Luminous intensity and luminance of the model optical fiber curves were also determined, their suitability for lighting was also evaluated.

This paper presents concepts of lighting systems using artifial light and natural solar radiation in illuminating rooms; it shortly exhibits systems for obtaining energy of solar radiation with the use of concentrators and heliostats following the Sun in its movement.

Article introduces description of position to marking of basic parameters of light lightings' optical fibers. Acquaintance of photomoetric parameters gives use of optical fibers to lightings' aims.

The paper presents measurement results of the refractinve profiles of planar waveguides produced in glass BK-7 and in sodium-silica glass using the ion-exchange technique Ag+↔Na+ from the solutions AgNO₃-NaNO₃. The refractive profiles were reconstructed with the use of modal equation basing on the measured propagation constants of modes for the wavelength 677 nm for both polarization states. We applied AgNO₃ solutions in NaNO₃ in molar ratios within the range 5.1*10-4-9.97*10-3 at temperatures ~380°C. Process times were within the range from several to 48 hours. As indicated by the obtained investigation results, the shape of the obtained profile can be controlled by an appropriate selection of admixture bath composition.

In the work the algorithm involving the reconstruction of refractive index profiles of planar buried waveguides based on modal equation was proposed. Propagation constants of own modes of those structures were determined by a goniometric method with the measurements of synchronic angles. On the basis of the measured propagation constants the reconstruction of their refractive index distribution was carried out with the help of the proposed algorithm.

In the paper are presented theoretical and experimental studies of multimode interference structures made by K+↔Na+ ion exchange process in glass. Investigations concerned the self-imaging phenomena for symmetrical and paired interference. The new method of mode field interference examination is proposed, using fluorescence of substance covering the MMI section.

In the paper, a new concept of the 1×2 waveguide beam splitter has been presented, on the basis of gradient multimode interference structures made by Ag⁺-Na⁺ ion exchange in glass with an arbitrary power splitting ratio at the output. The beam splitter, working in Mach-Zehnder configuration, consists of two asymmetrical MMI sections operating as 3dB couplers joined by monomode waveguides of different width. The operating characteristics of the 1×2 beam splitters have been determined for different geometry configurations of waveguides joining the MMI section. Self-imaging phenomena in MMI make possible to use in one of interferometer arm the multimode waveguide.

The paper is summarizing theoretical and experimental works carried out so far, involving the investigation on the influence of the absorption of the planar waveguide's cover on the attentuation of the guided modes - a phenomenon being a fundamental element for the functioning of optic sensors based on the effect of absorption change of the cover. Theoretical fundamentals of this phenomenon have been discussed, a new measurement method has been presented.

Initial results of fiber-optic non-invasive sensing of ignition and combustion process in the inner combustion engine are presented. An optical signal from a polarimetric fiber sensor is studied. Optical sensing is immune to high voltage of the ignition system and to some extent to temperature gradients arising close to the engine.

Applying an effective index method, we determined the dependence of propagation constants upon temperature in photonic crystals holey fibers with hexagonal and elliptical cores. Our analyiss shows that modal birefringence increases with temperature and wavelength in photonic crystal fibers with elliptical core, which is an effect opposite to taht observed in classical elliptical-core fibers. Some of the calculations were carried out for the fibers recently manufactured at Laboratory of Optical Fiber Technology, MCS University in Lublin, Poland.

Article presents prepared and tested constructions of loop hybrid fiber optical sensors with light amplitude modulation used for measuring loads and temperature.

Optical fiber force sensors using Michelson interferometer and a tunable external cavity semiconductor lase rsource are investigated in order to develop a sensor whose operating point is actively stabilized by the change of the source wavelength. Two configurations of such sensros are briefly discussed, and their advantages are compared. Based on presented results a sensor was built and tested. The sensor employs an indirect force transducer in which the force acting on it is converted into hydrostatic pressure which is subsequently measured. The sensor exhibits good linearity. Its bandwidth is currently limited by the tuning speed of the laser and can be extended by increasing the tuning speed of the laser.

A method for modeling of multiply purturbed fibers was developed as an extension to the modified coupled-mode method. Being based on numerical solution of coupled mode equations, the method is not limited in the scope of its applications to the cases in which coupling coefficients are constant along the fiber. Short computation time was achieved as a result of modification to the solved coupled-mode equations. Presented method was developed as a design tool for polarimetric optical fiber sensors. The use of the method is demonstrated on an example of a twisted single-mode elliptic-core fiber subjected to pure bending. Moreover, it was shown that the presented method can be also applied to visibility calculation in polarimetric sensors using polychromatic sources.

We present the method of detection the kind of burned fuel in industrial conditions. Wavelet transforms were applied for the signals corresponding to pulsation of chosen flame zone.

The influence of surface properties of sol-gel derived silica on pH sensing is presented. It is observed that the surface charge of silica, caused by pH change, leads to absorption of cations on the porous silica surface. As a consequence, one can observed an increase of refractinve index of the sol-gel material, hence, its optical properties and light propagation conditions. Since the effect is pH-dependent and its magnitude is so strong, it can even be exploited for pH sensing. Theoretical considerations correlate with results of surface charge and optical properties of a model of pH sensor measurements.

The probe for the copper ions detection was investigated. As an optical transducer porphyrines were used H₄TPPS₄ and cationic H₂TMePyP. The porphyrines were entrapped in a sol-gel film deposited directly on optical fiber core. The performance of the oprtodes was tested. The influence of the response time on gelation conditions of the sol-gel matrix was also investigated.

This paper presents a new method for analysis of the head of intelligent fiber optics sensor assigne dfor liquid type distinction. The sensro head construction is simply, because it is optical fiber tip. The reflected power during head submerging, submersion, emerging and emergence in detected medium is measured for liquid distinction purposes. The classical fiber optic detectors with head fiber coating with chemical substances or with additional optical subassembly are more complex in construction and less comfortable during operation.

This paper presents the performance analysis for a multimode double-core optical fiber and construction opportunities as well as performance results for a temperature sensor using such fibers.

In the paper, the analysis of the application of a tunable semiconductor laser working in 1550 nm band in a C-OFDR construction is presented. The laser was tuned in narrow 0.24 nm range by a PZT element and in wide 70 nm range by a stepping motor. The narrow range was used for signal separation from measurement points laying along optical fiber. The wide range can be used in to separate signals from branches of a fiber optic sensor network. The reflectometer was used for signal detection from quasi-distributed sensors network. Measurements were carried out for different distances of point fiber optic sensors from the reflectometer. As the models of point sensors air cavities were used. The influence of tuning range of the laser on measurement errors is discussed.

The phenomena of phase separation used to obtain glasses wtih high content of silicon oxide for possible application in light fiber technique is discussed.

Lead-bismuth-gallium-cadmium glasses doped with rare earths elements have been investigated. Certain optical properties of the glasses have been determined. The results of luminescence investiations in the form of absorption and luminescence spectra are presented, and the quantum yields as well as the calculated and measured luminescence lifetimes of the particular rare earths elements in the matrix of the examined glasses have been arranged in the tables. There have been observed extreme luminescence values in the case of particular rare earths elements released to the respective wave lengths. The specific spectral properties of the obtained glasses may find application in optoelectronics and fiber optics.

The electro-optic effect in selected crystals of A₂MX₄ type is discussed. This effect, manifested in optical birefringence change under influence of external electric fields can be used in the construction of optical amplitude modulator.

Theoretical calculations of transition elements' oxides purification effects of porous silica glass produced with use of colloidal sol-gel method have led to positive results. This study presents an assay of elaborating of conditions for transient elements' oxides porous silica glass purification by chlorination in dehydroxylation and consolidation stage in the theoretical and experimental way in the OICVD method. The result is positive as the CCl4 used as chlorinating agent.

The InF3-based fluoride glasses doped with Tm³⁺ and Tm³⁺-Tb³⁺ ions were studied by x-ray diffusion, differential scanning calorimetry and optical spectroscopy. The thermal stability and luminescence quenching of Tm⁺³ ions in InF₃-glass have been investigated as a function of activator concentration. In the limit of low activator concentration, values of stability parameter and quantum efficiency of excited states are very high, suggestion their practical application of those glasses in optical devices.

We are using UV-cured polymers as protective coatings of optical fibers. Protective coatings use hermetic materials such as: diamond-like carbon, Si₃N₄ and metal layers too. This work presents a new method of producing thin silver layers on optical fibers in their production.

Side-hole optical fibers created in an experimental way are characterized by high pressure and small temperature sensitivity. Negative influence of protective coatings upon side-hole fibers characteristics has been provide. The following study illustrates theoretic optimalization of protective coatings' structure for side-hole optical fibers which are covering by commercially available UV-hardened varnishes applied for telecommunication optical fibesr production.

M-line spectroscopy is widely used to determine parameters of planar waveguides. This paper shows a possibility to determine parameters of biological samples deposited on these waveguides. Deposition of a very small quantity of the material on the planar waveguide causes the change of light propagation. By means of m-line spectroscopy method adapted to investigations of four-layer structures it is possible to determine the parameters of biological samples.

The treatment method presented in this paper is an adjunct to coronary angioplasty. It consists in irradiating a previously dilated artery with laser light which stimulates endothelium proliferation and reduces local inflammation. The influence of 808 nm laser light on the endothelium was studied in vitro. Because of the location of atherosclerotic plaques, illumination of the endothelium poses a problem. To overcome it, we have designed and built a laser set-up for homogeneous intravascular illumination in vivo.

In this paper a simple procedure of investigation of erbium-doped fiber is described in order to settle its optimal parameters when it is to be applied in fiber amplifier designing. The model is very simple and requires only a little of preliminary measurement. It contains a lot of simplification, nevertheless it allows to determine with a good accuracy the basic parameters of erbium-doped fiber amplifiers. The initial data to be applied in this model may be obtained from a few very simple measurements.

The paper describes the experimental system developed to measure the life time of ⁴I_13/2 metastable level of Er ions doped in glass performs. The results and their interpretation are presented.

In this paper we present our first experiments and results connected with a laser fiber interferometry. Basic set-up of a fiber vibrometer based on interference weak scattered light with a reference beam shows in this case that signals from photodetector are quite small and often it is impossible to detect them correctly. When the fiber interferometer works on the telecommunication wavelength 1550nm, it is a possibility to use the telecommunication fiber amplifier to gain weak optical signals into levels that are easily detectable.

A Raman spectroscopy was used to diagnose a synthesis process of new class of materials - hybrid polymer thin films, dedicated to planar optical waveguides. Hybrids, made in sol-gel technology, have a great application potential, because their properties may be formed in wide range. However, to obtain high quality product, a strict control of the manufacturing process must be ensured. In our experiment, correctness of particular steps of the process as well as molecular structure of monomers, gel and thin films was investigated. The results of Raman mesurements showed that efficiency of two basic reactions should be improved. However, the structure of final product seems to be appropriate. To investigate full potential of Raman spectroscopy in process control, an experimental in-situ measurement was made in the real time, which allowed us to estimate the time required for the reaction.

Optical absorption and emission spectra of Eu³⁺ ions in fluoroindate glasses have been investigated. From the experimental values of oscillator strengths with thermal correction, the Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters were obtained. These data are compared with Judd-Ofelt parameters also calculated from emission spectra. The spectroscopic parameters of Eu³⁺ ions in fluoroindate glasses were determined and compared to the values of fluorozirconate glasses.

A new structure of planar difference interferometer has been proposed, constructed with the use of gradient waveguide and homogeneous dielectric layer. The suggestd structure provides much higher sensitivity levels as compared to currently designed structures.

The paper presents the results of investigation studies on the application of sol-gel technology for the production of sensor layers and waveguide layers for the system of planar waveguide sensors. The sensor layers are made up by silica SiO₂, which is playing the role of a matrix fixing bromocresol purpole. These layers are sensitive to ammonia. The waveguide layers are produced in a two-component system SiO₂:TiO₂.

The paper presents the theoretical and experimental results involving the influence of refractive profile on the reaction of modes with the absorption sensor layer. The investigation studies concerned the planar structure in which the waveguides were producd using the ion-exchange technique in glass, and the sensor layer was produced with the application of sol-gel technology. The results of experimental investigations confirm the theoretical predictions.