Photonics sensors: A perspective on current advancements, emerging challenges, and potential solutions (Invited)

Photonic sensors play a vital role in the modern world, revolutionizing various industries with their efficiency and precision. These sensors utilize light particles (photons) to detect, measure, and analyze different parameters such as light intensity, wavelength, phase, and polarization. One of their key advantages lies in their ability to offer highly sensitive, fast, and accurate measurements across a wide range of applications. In healthcare, they are used in medical imaging technologies like optical coherence tomography for non-invasive diagnostics and imaging of tissues. Additionally, photonic sensors have transformed environmental monitoring, allowing real-time analysis of pollutants, gases, and other substances in air and water. Moreover, their application extends to defence and security, where they are utilized in surveillance, reconnaissance, and laser-based defence systems. In this concise paper, we aim to offer our insights into the latest advancements, emerging challenges, and potential solutions in the ongoing development of photonic sensors.