Abstract: A magnetic field sensor comprises a magnetically responsive light propagating component configured to cause a polarization of light propagating inside the component to be rotated in response to an applied magnetic field, wherein the magnetically responsive light propagating component is formed of a bulk material doped with a dopant, the dopant including at least gadolinium, the dopant concentration being at a sufficiently low concentration such that the dopant is uniformly dispersed in the bulk material to provide a high Verdet constant. The magnetic field sensor also comprises a detector, and a polarization-maintaining light input device to couple the light into the magnetically responsive light propagating component. The detector is configured to measure a property of light output from the magnetically responsive light propagating component to determine a change in polarization of the light, the change caused by the presence of a magnetic field.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a radiation source, an optical fiber, and a detection device. The radiation source is arranged to emit pulses of radiation. The optical fiber comprises a first end and a core. The first end is arranged to receive pulses of radiation output from the radiation source such that, in use, the pulses of radiation are coupled into the fiber. The core is arranged to support propagation of the pulses of radiation along the fiber. The core includes a plurality of reflectors each comprising a portion of the core having a refractive index which is different to the refractive index of adjacent regions of the core. Reflections of a pulse of radiation from adjacent reflectors output at the first end of the fiber are resolvable from each other in the time domain. The detection device is arranged to measure radiation output from the first end of the fiber and resolve radiation reflected at different locations in the core of the fiber.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor comprises a magnetically responsive light propagating component configured to cause a polarization of light propagating inside the component to be rotated in response to an applied magnetic field, wherein the magnetically responsive light propagating component is formed of a bulk material doped with a dopant, the dopant including at least gadolinium, the dopant concentration being at a sufficiently low concentration such that the dopant is uniformly dispersed in the bulk material to provide a high Verdet constant. The magnetic field sensor also comprises a detector, and a polarization-maintaining light input device to couple the light into the magnetically responsive light propagating component. The detector is configured to measure a property of light output from the magnetically responsive light propagating component to determine a change in polarization of the light, the change caused by the presence of a magnetic field.

Abstract: This patent describes an optical element, which converts incident linearly or circularly polarized visible light into radially or azimuthally polarized light beam. The polarization converter is a single optical element, produced by direct laser writing technique in an optically transparent substrate. Direct laser writing based on ultra-short pulsed laser radiation forms form birefringence self-assembled nanogratings in optically transparent material, such as fused silica. The period of gratings is smaller than wavelengths of a visible light.

Abstract: This patent describes an optical element, which converts incident linearly or circularly polarized visible light into radially or azimuthally polarized light beam. The polarization converter is a single optical element, produced by direct laser writing technique in an optically transparent substrate. Direct laser writing based on ultra-short pulsed laser radiation forms form birefringence self-assembled nanogratings in optically transparent material, such as fused silica. The period of gratings is smaller than wavelengths of a visible light.