The market research company Research and Markets estimates that the fiber optic sensor market will grow at a CAGR of 27.8 % over the period 2010-2014.
High-temperature applications are one of the main factors driving the development of this technology. The main market players are Sick, Banner Engineering, Omron and ifm Efector. These companies use optical fibers to guide light, but not as a sensitive element. Hundreds of patents have been filed, but it has to be admitted that, several decades later, very few have led to the development of sensors as such.
The study considers that the relatively short lifespan of optical fibers is an obstacle to the development of this technology.
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