Fiber optic position sensors utilize light transmitted through optical fibers to determine the position or displacement of an object. Their ability to gauge position with remarkable accuracy sets them apart from traditional sensor technologies. Radiation absorption creates electronic excited states that are trapped by localized defects for extended periods of time. What Is a Sensor? Learn all about the principles, structures, and features of eight sensor types according to their detection principles. The fiber optic sensor. Fiber optic sensors are pivotal components in modern sensing technology, underpinning high-precision detection across critical industries from industrial manufacturing to infrastructure monitoring.