Optical sensors have emerged during the telecom boom in the late 1900’s, due to the availability to low-cost telecom-grade optical components. It’s only after the telecom industry’s fall in2004 that optical sensors became sufficiently developed to be a viable technology for real-world applications.
Optical sensing systems are non-conducting and use light to perform various measurements. There are several optical sensor technologies available, each with different strengths and weaknesses. In addition, there are different methods of interrogating optical sensors, each of which also present different strengths and weaknesses. FBG sensors provide distinct advantages for civil measurements because of their multiplexing capability and wavelength-encoded measurement information. In addition with their ability to serve both as sensing element and signal transmission medium, FBG technology can have a significant impact on the health and efficiency of civil infrastructure systems.

This session will present a holistic view of optical sensing, presenting the different optical sensor technologies and interrogation techniques. Session will cover a detailed introduction to FBG sensors. Sample optical sensing systems will be revealed and top considerations for optical sensing will be presented. Finally, a set of case studies will demonstrate real-world applications of optical sensors.