Future of distributed fiber sensors (invited paper)

Distributed fiber sensors offers an innovative technology for a spatially distributed measurement based on Raleigh, Brillouin and Raman scattering. By analyzing backscattered signal frequency, intensity and phase, one can realize a distributed measurement of strain, temperature and vibration over a tens of kilometers. This paper reviewed the history and current technology development of distributed time-domain fiber sensors in terms of spatial resolution and sensing range while present the standard operating principles. The future prospective view that can be extend further research development has also been discussed.