Optical waveguide sensor arrangement having guided modes-non guided modes grating coupler

An optical waveguide sensor arrangement for sensing a plurality of physical parameters, comprising:

• a plurality of optical waveguide sensors, each optical waveguide sensor having guided modes, lossy non-guided modes, and a plurality of long period gratings coupling the guided modes to the lossy non-guided modes wherein the long period gratings produce a wavelength transmission spectrum functionally dependent on the physical parameters sensed;
• a means for coupling the optical waveguide sensors in series;
• a source means for providing light to the plurality of optical waveguide sensors;
• an optoelectronic detector, positioned in an operable relationship to the plurality of optical waveguide sensors, wherein the optoelectronic detector detects a plurality of light signals transmitted through the optical waveguide sensors;
• a demultiplexing means, coupled to the optoelectronic detector, wherein the demultiplexing means discriminates amongst each of the light signals transmitted through the optical waveguide sensors;
• and
• a processing means, positioned in an operable relationship to the demultiplexing means, wherein the processing means correlates the wavelength transmission spectrum with a numerical value for each of the physical parameters sensed.