Long period gratings in random hole optical fibers for refractive index sensing.

We have demonstrated the fabrication of long period gratings in random hole optical fibers. The long period gratings are fabricated by a point-by-point technique using a CO(2) laser. The gratings with a periodicity of 450 μm are fabricated and a maximum coupling efficiency of -9.81 dB has been achieved. Sensing of different refractive indices in the surrounding mediums is demonstrated by applying standard liquids with refractive indices from 1.400 to 1.440 to the long period grating.