Abstract

Irradiation of the core of an optical fiber with ultraviolet light photoinduces a permanent change in the refractive index. This photorefractive effect called photosensitivity has great practical significance in that it makes possible a new family of passive fiber devices that have potential application in optical communications and optical sensors. This invited paper will review the significant advances that have occurred in photosensitivity research and report some recent developments.

© 1994 Optical Society of America