Micro/nanodeposition techniques for enhanced optical fiber sensors

Nowadays, optical fiber sensing is an emerging and versatile technology thanks to continuous advances in micro/nanofabrication techniques as well as the application of new nanomaterials. Novel optical fibers combined with a new generation of nanostructured coatings are enabling the development of enhanced optical fiber sensors, for chemical, environmental, and biological applications. Consequently, there is an increasing interest of these fiber-based devices for the monitoring of physical parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, refractive index, strain, and bending, among others, providing higher sensitivity ratios, better detection limits, and improving other sensing parameters. This chapter covers the most used techniques and new trends for the design and nanofabrication of enhanced physical fiber sensors in the last few years. Likewise, an overview of the most relevant applications and an outlook of the optical fiber-based sensing approach for physical parameters is presented.