Sensing capability of multicore fibre

In this contribution we present the sensing capabilities of a novel N-path Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) that relies on a multicore microstructured optical fibre (MC-MOF) connected between two sections of the standard single mode fibre. The modal properties of the MC-MOF structure are analyzed experimentally by measuring near field profiles. The dependence of the N-path MC-MOF MZI sensitivity on temperature, tensile strain and bending is investigated. The results suggest that such interferometer is a good candidate for a tensile strain or bending sensor.