ABSTRACT
This chapter as the final chapter of this book tries to answer three questions: (1) Are there prospects for real use of optical and fiber-optic sensors (FOS)?; (2) What constrains the use of optical sensors and FOS?; and (3) What determines our choices?
Summarizing the consideration of optical and FOS one can state that the optical and fiber-optic technologies represent great opportunities for the development of a variety of devices capable of controlling the humidity. However, analysis shows that there are also many disadvantages of optical sensors, which can limit their application. For example, the fabrication of such sensors does not come to agreement with mass production. In addition, special sources and radiation detectors, and PC with special programs for signal processing are required for their functioning. The big problem of modern developments in the field of optical and FOS is also poor reproducibility of parameters. Therefore, to optical and fiber-optic humidity sensors have found their area on the sensor market, further research is needed, aimed at optimizing the manufacturing technology, increasing the life time of sensors and increasing the reproducibility of the parameters. It is clear that when developing the humidity sensors and humidity control systems, one can use a variety of approaches. This chapter gives detailed comparison of various optical and FOS. We hope that this information will allow making selection of a suitable sensing method for specific applications.
