A multimode fiber-optic surface plasmon resonance(SPR) sensor with a MgF2 film as a modulated layer is studied.The fiber-optic SPR sensor is investigated theoretically,specifically the influence of the dielectric protecting layer,using a four-layer model.The sensor is then fabricated with the optimal parameters suggested by the theoretical simulation.The sensor has a high sensitivity in the analyte refractive index(RI) range of 1.33-1.40.The best sensitivity of 4 464 nm/RIU is achieved in the experiment.The use of dielectric film(MgF2) can not only modulate the resonance wavelength of the sensor,but also protect the silver film from oxidation.