Angle dependent Fiber Bragg grating inscription in microstructured polymer optical fibers

We report on an incidence angle influence on inscription of the Fiber Bragg Gratings in Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microstructured polymer optical fibers. We have shown experimentally that there is a strong preference of certain angles, labeled ГK, over the other ones. Angles close to ГK showed fast start of inscription, rapid inscription and stronger gratings. We have also shown that gratings can be obtained at almost any angle but their quality will be lower if they are not around ГK angle. Our experimental results verify earlier numerical and experimental predictions of Marshall et al.