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What are the two types of fiber optic sensors

Fiber optic sensors are primarily classified into intrinsic and extrinsic types, based on whether the fiber itself acts as the sensing element or merely transmits signals from an external sensor.

Intrinsic Fiber Optic Sensors

Intrinsic sensors use the optical fiber itself as the sensing element. Physical changes such as strain, temperature, pressure, or vibration directly affect the light traveling within the fiber. The measurand modifies properties of the light, including intensity, phase, polarization, or wavelength, while the light remains confined within the fiber.

These sensors are capable of distributed sensing over long distances, making them ideal for structural health monitoring, pipeline surveillance, and other applications requiring continuous measurement along the fiber length.

Extrinsic Fiber Optic Sensors

Extrinsic sensors, on the other hand, use the fiber primarily as a signal transmission medium. The actual sensing occurs in an external transducer or “black box”, which modulates the light before it is transmitted back through the fiber to a detector. The fiber itself is not affected by the measurand.

These sensors are commonly used in applications where the sensing element must be located in hard-to-reach or hazardous environments, such as inside jet engines or high-voltage equipment.

Summary

Intrinsic sensors: Fiber itself senses the physical quantity; light modulation occurs within the fiber. Extrinsic sensors: Fiber transmits light to/from an external sensing element; modulation occurs outside the fiber. Both categories are widely used in industrial, aerospace, and civil engineering applications, with the choice depending on the measurement range, sensitivity, and environmental constraints.

What are the two types of fiber optic sensors

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Technical note

This reference is intended for preliminary fiber and communications infrastructure research. Optical interface, fiber type, port or core capacity, electrical input and output, enclosure protection, cooling, installation limits and applicable standards must be verified for the specific project.

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