This course explains basic principles and applications of fiber optic sensor technology. A primary goal of the course is to present the underlying principals associated with the design and application of fiber optic sensor technology. The course begins with an overview of the fundamental components associated with fiber optic sensors and how they interact to form intensity-based and interferometry-based fiber sensors. It then continues with an overview of physical fiber optic sensors starting with intensity-based sensors and continuing with those based on the Mach-Zehnder, Michelson and Sagnac interferometers. A review of fiber gratings and fiber-etalon-based sensors follows. Examples of applications are given in a wide variety of fields including aerospace and defense, civil structures, oil and gas, and composite manufacturing. The course continues with an examination of the important emerging areas of chemical and biological fiber sensors – including spectroscopic, refractometric, and more exotic types. Applications ranging from biomedical diagnosis to environmental monitoring will be discussed. Anyone seeking a rapid and effective introduction to the field of fiber optic sensor technology would benefit greatly from this course. It is intended to strongly complement and serve as an introduction to the <i>Fiber Optic Sensors and Applications Conference</i> associated with this Symposium.

This course provides a broad overview of optical fiber sensing principles and techniques for chemical and biological (CB), as well as medical and food sensing applications. The course is divided into three parts. Part I provides an introduction of optical fiber sensors, their different types, associated components and specialty fiber types required for CB sensing system integration. In Part II, a review of different types of chemical and biological fiber sensors is made (based on VIS-UV-IR absorption, optical spectroscopy, fluorescence, chemiluminescence, evanescent fields, Raman, and others), along with discussions on reactive agents, detection techniques, data analysis and interpretation. Part III focuses on the use of FO sensors in the food industry for quality and safety inspection, discussing the basic principles of eat-by-light. Throughout the course emphasis is placed on practical applications and actual industrial and biotechnology solutions.