Distributed fiber-optic sensors

Abstract

Optical fiber sensors have been researched now for a number of years and a wide body of knowledge has been accumulated as witnessed by other chapters in this book. Although much of the initial development of these sensors was technology-driven, the most successful examples of fiber sensors are those where one or more of the often-cited benefits of fiber sensors brings a fundamental advantage to a particular application. For example, the fiber gyroscope has been able to compete on cost with the laser gyroscope and yet retain some of the advantages of the latter, e.g. zero spool-up time and complete elimination of moving parts. More generally, certain industries have noted the benefits that all-dielectric sensors could bring, in particular the gas and electricity supply industries, where the removal of electrical sensors has significant and specific advantages. In both cases, these are industries where statutory requirements on safety and security of supply (passed on to suppliers in the form of requirements for very long term product guarantees) have forced a certain degree of caution in the introduction of new technology.