Advanced Fiber-Optic Sensing Technologies: From Multi-Core Architectures to Quasi-Distributed Systems

Dear Colleagues,

The global trends toward Industry 4.0, renewable energy systems, sustainable infrastructure, and structural health monitoring is driving strong demand for advanced, scalable, and multi-functional sensing solutions. Optical fiber sensors have emerged as one of the fastest-growing technologies in these domains, offering high reliability, long-distance capability, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and durability compared to conventional electrical sensors.

However, traditional single-core fiber sensors face inherent limitations in spatial resolution, sensor density, and simultaneous multi-parameter measurements. Emerging multi-core fiber architectures and quasi-distributed sensing systems, supported by advanced signal processing algorithms, effectively address these challenges. These technologies enable ultra-dense sensor networks, high-resolution 3D shape sensing, vector bending analysis, and advanced hybrid distributed sensing, while improving data throughput and crosstalk management.

This Special Issue aims to present and disseminate the most recent advances in advanced fiber-optic sensing technologies, from multi-core architectures to quasi-distributed systems. We welcome original research articles and reviews that explore novel designs, interrogation techniques, theoretical models, and real-world applications in this rapidly evolving field.

Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Multi-core fibers (MCFs) for high-density and multi-parameter sensing;
• Fabry–Pérot interferometers (FPI) and their integration with multi-core fibers;
• Quasi-distributed sensor networks based on Fiber Bragg Gratings arrays and advanced multiplexing;
• Space-division multiplexing techniques in distributed sensing;
• 3D shape sensing, vector bending, curvature, and strain reconstruction using MCFs;
• Multi-parameter fiber-optic sensors for structural health monitoring, energy infrastructure, aerospace, and biomedical applications;
• Novel fabrication methods, packaging, and interrogation systems for robust long-distance quasi-distributed sensing;
• Multi-fiber cables;
• Performance evaluation and field trials of multi-core-fiber-based and quasi-distributed sensors in harsh environments.

Dr. Simon Pevec
Guest Editor

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