Structure-Modulated Long-Period Fiber Gratings: A Review

Structure-Modulated Long-Period Fiber Gratings (SM-LPFGs) represent an advancement in fiber optic sensor technology, moving beyond traditional photosensitivity-based fabrication to achieve enhanced performance through the direct physical modification of the geometry of the fiber. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the primary fabrication techniques enabling this approach, including CO2 laser inscription, femtosecond laser micromachining, electric-arc discharge, chemical etching, and fusion tapering. The central focus of this work is the elucidation of the definitive structure–performance relationship, systematically detailing how engineered geometries such as helical profiles, micro-tapers, and asymmetric grooves unlock novel sensing capabilities. We demonstrate how these specific structures are strategically designed to induce circular birefringence for torsion measurement, enhance evanescent field interaction for ultra-sensitive refractive index detection, and create localized stress concentrations for high-resolution strain and vector bending sensing. Furthermore, the review surveys the practical implementation of these sensors in critical application domains, including structural health monitoring, biomedical diagnostics, and environmental sensing. Finally, we conclude by summarizing key achievements and identifying promising future research directions, such as the development of hybrid fabrication processes, the integration of machine learning for advanced signal demodulation, and the path towards industrial-scale production.