Optical Fiber Technology and Sensors

Dear Colleagues,

Optical fiber sensors have been proposed and demonstrated for decades. This is due to the multiple applications in which strain, torsion, temperature, vibration, heat and nearly every physical parameter measurement is necessary with high precision, such as in structural health monitoring, robotics, biomedical applications and research in space. One of the approaches for such fiber-based sensors is based on fiber Bragg gratings where good sensitivity has been reached. Another well-known technique for estimating physical parameters is related to optical fiber tapers. These devices show similar sensitivity to FBGs. It seems logical that by combining these elements with other all-fiber optical filters, the sensitivity can be improved. This combination also improves the thermal sensitivity; as a consequence, cross-measurement can be performed. Another good choice for sensing consists of interferometric optical fiber interferometers. Such devices are fabricated by combining optical fibers with different geometries and characteristics. Therefore, fiber optic sensors based on Fabry–Perot, Sagnac, Michelson and Mach–Zehnder [17] configurations have been proposed. High-sensitivity strain fiber optic sensors are still necessary, based on simplified processes and not sophisticated optical fibers.

In this Special Issue of Sensors, we will focus on optical fiber-based sensors and their fundamentals as well as on applications, from mechanical to electrical, thermal and bio, and to the ones employed in hazardous environments such as in fire, humidity, high pressure, etc. This technology will have a deep impact on a wide range of areas of telecommunications, medicine, and industry.

Dr. Jose Alfredo Alvarez-Chavez
Guest Editor

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