Abstract: A distributed optical detection system comprising: a broadband optical source; and a phase and amplitude receiver for measuring phases and amplitudes of distributed backscattered signals from a sensing medium. Methods of quantitatively sensing optical path length changes along a sensing medium in a distributed manner are also disclosed.

Abstract: A distributed optical detection system comprising: a broadband optical source; and a phase and amplitude receiver for measuring phases and amplitudes of distributed backscattered signals from a sensing medium. Methods of quantitatively sensing optical path length changes along a sensing medium in a distributed manner are also disclosed.

Abstract: A distributed optical detection system comprising: a broadband optical source; and a phase and amplitude receiver for measuring phases and amplitudes of distributed backscattered signals from a sensing medium. Methods of quantitatively sensing optical path length changes along a sensing medium in a distributed manner are also disclosed.

Abstract: A distributed optical detection system comprising: a broadband optical source; and a phase and amplitude receiver for measuring phases and amplitudes of distributed backscattered signals from a sensing medium. Methods of quantitatively sensing optical path length changes along a sensing medium in a distributed manner are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of preparing a preform for an optical fibre, and more particularly to a method of preparing a preform for a polymer holey optical fibre. The invention provides a method of preparing a preform for manufacture of a polymer holey optical fibre comprising casting a preform body in a mould from a suitable material, said mould including at least one protrusion adapted to form a corresponding hole within the preform, and subsequently separating the preform body and mould. The invention also provides a method of preparing a preform for manufacture of a polymeric holey optical fibre comprising separately casting one or more elements of a preform in respective mould(s) from a suitable material, and separating said elements from said respective mould(s) and combining said elements to construct a preform having a plurality of holes therein, each hole being formed in an element or formed by the combination of two or more elements.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing a preform for an optical fibre. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of preparing preforms for the production of holey optical fibres. The invention provides a method of producing an optical fibre, said method comprising applying heat to the interior of a preform and subsequently drawing said optical fibre from said preform. The invention also provides a method of producing an optical fibre, said method comprising preparing a preform comprising a body of optically suitable material and removing material at predetermined locations in the body so as to provide a plurality of holes within the body, applying heat to the interior of the preform and subsequently drawing said optical fibre from said preform.