Scientometric Analysis and Research Trends in Optical Fiber Grating Sensors: A Review

The increasing demand for high-precision, real-time sensing in various fields has spurred the development of optical fiber grating sensors (OFGSs). This study reviews the research field of OFGSs, exploring their historical development, current trends, and future opportunities through scientometric a...

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Main Authors: Yiqiang Deng, Wen Ren, Xiaoyan Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Photonics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6732/12/4/349
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author Yiqiang Deng
Wen Ren
Xiaoyan Wang
author_facet Yiqiang Deng
Wen Ren
Xiaoyan Wang
author_sort Yiqiang Deng
collection DOAJ
description The increasing demand for high-precision, real-time sensing in various fields has spurred the development of optical fiber grating sensors (OFGSs). This study reviews the research field of OFGSs, exploring their historical development, current trends, and future opportunities through scientometric analysis utilizing CiteSpace. The research landscape has grown exponentially since the early studies on fiber Bragg gratings and long-period fiber gratings in the 1990s. Bibliometric data reveal that engineering, optics, and instrumentation dominate OFGS research, with emerging interdisciplinary applications in environmental, biological, and medical sensing. Key contributors have advanced OFGSs through femtosecond laser inscription, novel materials, and intelligent system integration, as reflected in co-citation and keywords analyses. Trends such as AI-driven optimization, surface plasmon resonance, and 3D printing signal shift toward adaptive, multifunctional sensing systems capable of addressing diverse challenges. This review also maps the evolution of OFGS research, transitioning from foundational strain and temperature sensing to sophisticated systems for structural health monitoring, biomedical diagnostics, and robotics. Despite global disruptions, the field’s recovery highlights its critical role in advancing sensing technologies. By combining thematic insights from co-citation and keyword analyses, this study identifies both established directions and transformative opportunities, providing a holistic understanding of OFGS research and its trajectory.
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spelling doaj-art-70afaeee62a44960b062db90643bfaeb2025-08-20T03:13:53ZengMDPI AGPhotonics2304-67322025-04-0112434910.3390/photonics12040349Scientometric Analysis and Research Trends in Optical Fiber Grating Sensors: A ReviewYiqiang Deng0Wen Ren1Xiaoyan Wang2Network Technology Center, Sanming University, Sanming 365004, ChinaSchool of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Sanming University, Sanming 365004, ChinaSchool of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Sanming University, Sanming 365004, ChinaThe increasing demand for high-precision, real-time sensing in various fields has spurred the development of optical fiber grating sensors (OFGSs). This study reviews the research field of OFGSs, exploring their historical development, current trends, and future opportunities through scientometric analysis utilizing CiteSpace. The research landscape has grown exponentially since the early studies on fiber Bragg gratings and long-period fiber gratings in the 1990s. Bibliometric data reveal that engineering, optics, and instrumentation dominate OFGS research, with emerging interdisciplinary applications in environmental, biological, and medical sensing. Key contributors have advanced OFGSs through femtosecond laser inscription, novel materials, and intelligent system integration, as reflected in co-citation and keywords analyses. Trends such as AI-driven optimization, surface plasmon resonance, and 3D printing signal shift toward adaptive, multifunctional sensing systems capable of addressing diverse challenges. This review also maps the evolution of OFGS research, transitioning from foundational strain and temperature sensing to sophisticated systems for structural health monitoring, biomedical diagnostics, and robotics. Despite global disruptions, the field’s recovery highlights its critical role in advancing sensing technologies. By combining thematic insights from co-citation and keyword analyses, this study identifies both established directions and transformative opportunities, providing a holistic understanding of OFGS research and its trajectory.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6732/12/4/349fiber Bragg grating (FBG)long-period fiber grating (LPFG)sensorsoptical fiber grating sensorsCiteSpacesensing mechanisms
spellingShingle Yiqiang Deng
Wen Ren
Xiaoyan Wang
Scientometric Analysis and Research Trends in Optical Fiber Grating Sensors: A Review
Photonics
fiber Bragg grating (FBG)
long-period fiber grating (LPFG)
sensors
optical fiber grating sensors
CiteSpace
sensing mechanisms
title Scientometric Analysis and Research Trends in Optical Fiber Grating Sensors: A Review
title_full Scientometric Analysis and Research Trends in Optical Fiber Grating Sensors: A Review
title_fullStr Scientometric Analysis and Research Trends in Optical Fiber Grating Sensors: A Review
title_full_unstemmed Scientometric Analysis and Research Trends in Optical Fiber Grating Sensors: A Review
title_short Scientometric Analysis and Research Trends in Optical Fiber Grating Sensors: A Review
title_sort scientometric analysis and research trends in optical fiber grating sensors a review
topic fiber Bragg grating (FBG)
long-period fiber grating (LPFG)
sensors
optical fiber grating sensors
CiteSpace
sensing mechanisms
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6732/12/4/349
work_keys_str_mv AT yiqiangdeng scientometricanalysisandresearchtrendsinopticalfibergratingsensorsareview
AT wenren scientometricanalysisandresearchtrendsinopticalfibergratingsensorsareview
AT xiaoyanwang scientometricanalysisandresearchtrendsinopticalfibergratingsensorsareview