A novel temperature sensor and variable optical attenuator based on a high-birefringence fiber loop mirror

A novel variable optical attenuator based on a high-birefringence fiber loop mirror is described. The fiber loop mirror is placed in a controlled-temperature chamber. As the temperature is increased, the transmission spectrum exhibits a shift, while virtually not changing its shape. The degree of attenuation at a wavelength of 1558 nm exceeds 30 dB, while the introduced losses are about 2.5 dB. The temperature-induced shift of the spectrum is strictly linear. The response of the temperature sensor based on this effect is linear with a correlation coefficient of 0.9997. The obtained experimental data are interpreted based on the results of numerical modeling.