Optical Fibre Sensors: a Current Perspective

This paper presents a very brief overview of the principles which have evolved and the achievements which have accrued over almost half a century of fibre optic sensors. We cite a few examples of success stories along the way, but the very diverse nature of optical fibre sensor technologies of necessity infers that these few examples will be but representative and many are omitted. We also speculate on the future evolution of fibre sensors, both in terms of applications potential and the incorporation of research into ‘new’ optics into the fibre sensor platform.