Applied Optics Fundamentals and Device Applications

4Fiber-Optic Sensors

4.1 Introduction

Fiber-optic sensing is a relatively new area of technology in which a number of systems are currently in development. The sensing mechanisms in a fiber sensor can include one or all of the following modulation techniques: intensity, phase, polarization, or frequency. The high sensitivity of fiber sensors makes them attractive in many applications where electronic sensors are inadequate due to limitations in sensitivity, range, and resolution. The interferometric class of fiber sensors offers the highest sensitivity and dynamic range. The parameters to be sensed cause a change in the phase of the interferometer, eliminating the need for a separate modulator [1].

The general advantages of fiber sensors include ...