In terms of dynamic range and noise, optical sensors have great advantages over their electronic or mechanical counterparts. In addition, the noncontact nature of all optical measurements avoids influences of the sensor on the measured value and, thus, measurement‐introduced systematic errors. This article gives an update to the overview published in the first edition of the Optics Encyclopedia (sometimes denoted as the “original article” in the text). It contains up‐to‐date specifications of sensor components along with additional sensor principles and applications.
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