Temperature performance of a macrobending single-mode fiber-based refractometer

We present, theoretically and experimentally, an investigation of temperature dependence of a macrobending single-mode fiber-based refractometer utilizing a ratiometric scheme. The conventional scalar approximation method is utilized for predicting the temperature dependent loss of the proposed fiber refractometer. An all-fiber ratiometric measurement system is built to allow the comparison of modeled and measured results. Calculated and measured results for an SMF28 refractometer are in good agreement and confirm the effect of temperature on refractive index measurements. Both calculated and measured ratio responses monotonically change with temperature, which allows for a temperature correction process.