We propose and investigate a compact optical fiber sensor that aims to measure the torsion in both amount and direction with high sensitivity. This sensor is configured by a triangular-prism-shaped long-period fiber grating, which is fabricated by the high frequency CO2 laser polished method. The unique design of the triangular-shaped structure breaks the rotational symmetry of the optical fiber and provides high sensitivity for torsion measurement. In preliminary experiments, the torsion response of the sensor achieves a good stability and linearity. The torsion sensitivity is 0.54 nm/(rad/m), which renders the proposed structure a highly sensitive torsion sensor.

A novel phase-shifted long-period fiber grating (PS-LPFG) for the simultaneous measurement of torsion and temperature is described and experimentally demonstrated. The PS-LPFG is fabricated by inserting a pre-twisted structure into the long-period fiber grating (LPFG) written in single-mode fiber (SMF). Experimental results show that the torsion sensitivities of the two dips are ?0.114 nm/(rad/m) and ?0.069 nm/(rad/m) in the clockwise direction, and ?0.087 nm/(rad/m) and ?0.048 nm/(rad/m) in the counterclockwise direction, respectively. The temperature sensitivities of the two dips are 0.057 nm/°C and 0.051 nm/°C, respectively. The two dips of the PS-LPFG exhibit different responses to torsion and temperature. Simultaneous measurement of torsion and temperature can be implemented using a sensor. The feasibility and stabilization of simultaneous torsion and temperature measurement have been confirmed, and hence this novel PS-LPFG demonstrates potential for fiber sensing and engineering applications.