Summary of PhD thesis of Maciej Antkowiak

The invention of the optical fibre was one of the most noticeable technological breakthroughs in the recent history. Optical fibres steadily replaced copper wires and satellite links in telecommunication systems industry and, along with the development of microelectronics and of advanced IT software, laid the foundations for our information society. Optical fibres have also been used in other fields of industry. It was observed that the influence of external factors such as stress, strain, temperature or pressure is reflected in the characteristics of the transmitted light. This fact is used in optical fibre sensors, which proved to be very versatile in use, resistant to harsh environment and often more sensitive than conventional sensors. They are immune to electromagnetic interference, small, light-weight, biocompatible, chemically inert, and they offer the unique feature of distributed sensing.