Articles
What is Fiber Optic Sensor? Its Working Principle, Applications and Advantages
by Saniya Zeenat WriterFiber optic sensors can sustain in harsh conditions such as extreme heat, noise, high vibration, and environmental disorders. It can easily fit in smaller areas and is an ideal choice when flexible fibers are required. The main purpose of an optical fiber sensor is to measure the physical quantity of light and then translate it in a readable form with the help of an integrated measuring device.
It contains the core and cladding which have multiple refractive indexes. The light beam transmits to the core by frequently bouncing off the edge of the cladding. With a fiber optic sensor, a light beam can pass through fiber without causing any disturbance in the light quantity and is perfectly emitted to the target.
Working Principle of Fiber Optic Sensors
The optical fiber sensor works on a principle of hitting the wall between the core and cladding that carries different densities. The light beam is transmitted through the small fiber by reflection and departed at an approximately a similar angle as it entered the fiber.
The difference between densities of the core and cladding allows the cables to operate based on the entire internal reflection principle. This states that the light striking the edges between the two elements will totally be reflected without any loss of light energy. Then the reflected light is passed to a detector that transforms light energy into an electrical signal.
Applications of Fiber Optic Sensor
Optical fiber sensor is used to monitor infrastructures such as bridges, tunnels, borders, railways, pipelines and power stations. Apart from this, these are also used in gas applications and downhole oil to support well-optimization during the manufacturing and completion process. It is positioned to monitor vehicle movement, digging activity, temperatures, human traffic, gas leaks, and many other activities. It is basically used to detect contact-less activities, counting, and placement of parts.
Advantages of Fiber Optic Sensor
Fiber optic sensors are lightweight and small. These are resistant to extremely high temperatures and unstable environmental conditions. It carries electrically insulating material which makes them more appropriate for applications that are associated with high voltages to eliminate the risk of dangerous electrical sparks.
In addition, these sensors can sustain in electromagnetic and radio frequency interference. It has amazing range, resolution and multiplexing abilities. As white light is used in this area, there is no maintenance required during its lifespan. Its WLPI sensors do not get affected by light intensity variations which describe optical losses that cannot influence the performance of the system.
Conclusion:
Fiber optic sensor is fiber-based device that uses optical fiber to measure possible quantities such as acceleration, rotation, temperature, pressure, vibration, and displacements. Characteristics like versatile installments, lightweight, high sensitivity, and many more make these sensors even more compatible for sensor-based projects.
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About Saniya Zeenat 
Writer
4 connections, 0 recommendations, 77 honor points.Joined APSense since, November 4th, 2019, From Noida, India.
Created on Jun 29th 2020 04:42. Viewed 401 times.
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