Highly birefringent dual-mode microstructured fiber with enhanced polarimetric strain sensitivity of the second order mode.

We present the results of theoretical and experimental characterization of a designed and manufactured dual-mode highly birefringent microstructured fiber. We also demonstrate the measured values of polarimetric temperature and strain sensitivity of both the fundamental and second order modes. As the mode field of the second order mode has a strong interaction with the fiber air holes, we observed a significant (over two orders of magnitude) increase in the polarimetric strain sensitivity of this mode in comparison to the fundamental mode. The enhanced strain sensitivity together with the low temperature sensitivity makes our fiber very attractive for application as extremely sensitive temperature independent strain transducers.