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 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.