1. INTRODUCTION

Optical fiber sensors have been a subject of research interest since the 1970s. The research field has produced commercialized sensing technologies with a diverse range of applications across numerous fields, including energy, infrastructure, defense, navigation, biomedicine and radiology. These sensors have revolutionized industries by offering low cost, real-time monitoring, and distributed sensing capabilities. In addition, the continued advancements in optical fiber componentry, digital electronics, digital signal processing and laser technology has further driven the development of new and improved fiber optic sensors.

The OFS conference in 2022 attracted submissions from over 28 countries, illustrating the worldwide scope of research interest in this technology. The strong industry base that has grown in parallel to these research efforts provides a solid foundation for continued investment in technology development, and it has helped to maintain a financially healthy conference series.

The manuscripts contained in this collection are illustrative of the broad applications of fiber optic sensor technology. They cover topics in distributed sensing, biomedical sensing, radiation dosimetry, electromagnetic sensing, gyroscopes, and thermometry, and offer a number of critical innovations and new ideas that are expected to stimulate further research in these sensor areas and beyond.

We hope this special issue will provide valuable insights and inspire researchers to explore new frontiers in optical fiber sensor technology.