The spectral and thermooptical sensitivity responses of highly birefringent photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) with elliptically elongated veins integrated in their profile are being investigated using a novel sensitivity analysis based on an accurate semivectorial modal solver combined with temperature-dependent Sellmeier equations for pure silica and dry air. We demonstrate that by an appropriate selection of the design parameters it is possible to optimize the sensitivity of the modal birefringence or even to obtain response at specific wavelengths. Thus, our investigation adds evidence to the potential use of highly birefringent PCFs as polarimetric sensors. Optimized overall temperature sensitivity could be obtained up to 7.5/spl middot/10/sup -7/K/sup -1/ at operational wavelength of 1.55 /spl mu/ m.
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