Fibre Optic Sensors - Common Applications and Types

Fibre optic sensors are used within a wide range of different industries. Fundamentally they utilise fibre optics to remotely sense and are frequently used due to their small size and also the fact that no power is needed to operate the sensor. There are two major types of fibre optic sensor, intrinsic and extrinsic; the former uses optical fibre as the actual sensor element whilst the latter use fibres to relay signals from the sensor to a processing unit.

Intrinsic fibre optic sensors utilise the properties of glass and the fibre geometry to measure a number of different quantities. Essentially they measure how light passes through the sensing fibre; then convert this light behaviour into a unit, such as pressure or temperature. They can be used in a variety of different situations; here are just four of the common types of fibre optic sensor used today.

• Strain sensing is a frequent application for this type of sensor as they are capable of measuring mechanical strain directly. This is measured through the ways the geometric properties of the fibre change under strain; this is manifested as a change to the light refractive properties of the fibre.
• Temperature sensing is carried by a practically identical sensor set up. The one difference is that to assess the temperature, the expansion or contraction of the fibre is measured. In this instance, instead of mechanical strain being the force, it is how the fibre is directly affected by changes in temperature that is measured.
• Pressure sensing can be carried out through the same measurement of expansion and contraction. Typically, a fibre will be inserted into a rigid steel tube with a diaphragm at the end. This diaphragm, coupled to the fibre acts as the sensor.
• Sensors are also used to measure humidity. These are slightly different from other sensors as they do not take their measurements from the direct strain placed upon the fibre. Instead, a special coating capable of absorbing and releasing water vapour is used; this coating is attached to the fibre and as it either expands or contracts in correlation to the water vapour it holds, it strains the fibre, changing its refractive properties and subsequently provides a measurement.

These four uses for fibre optic sensors are just some of the most common. Today sensors are used throughout the world in a variety of industries, from biomedical applications and aircraft to petroleum drilling sites.

In a wide variety of industries fibre optic sensors are used as a reliable and agile sensing solution. It is the specific properties of fibre optics and their ability to work remotely without power that makes them popular for a range of industrial and medical applications.

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