Assessment of Fiber Optic Pressure Sensors

This report provides key results from a six-month research and development study to establish the state of the art in fiber optic pressure sensing in nuclear power plants and to describe the design and principle of operation of various fiber optic pressure sensors. The authors review current research on fiber optic sensing technologies, compare fiber optic pressure sensors with conventional pressure sensors, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of fiber optic pressure sensors, review the failure modes of these sensors, and survey fiber optic sensor manufacturers. They conclude that while fiber optic sensors are typically more expensive and harder to source than conventional sensors, they offer a range of advantages including EMI/RFI immunity, better accuracy, and faster dynamic response.