Process Analytical Technology (PAT) with Fiber Optic Sensor Solutions
Precise, in-line measurements for industrial processes – with robust fiber optic components and leading partners
Process Analytical Technology (PAT) enables real-time measurement and control of critical process parameters (CPP) to ensure defined quality attributes (CQA) – directly in the production process and with fiber optic sensor solutions from FOS INON.
What is PAT?
Process Analytical Technology (PAT) describes the use of analytical measurement methods for the continuous monitoring and control of industrial processes. Instead of testing quality in the laboratory, it is generated directly in the process. This reduces waste, increases efficiency, and creates reliable, reproducible product quality.
PAT enables the real-time measurement of critical process parameters and allows for immediate responses to changes – the basis for automated control systems. Applications can be found in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food and beverage production, materials manufacturing, and the energy storage industry.
In modern PAT systems, fiber-optic sensor technology is crucial. It transmits the light signal between the measurement point and the analyzer without interrupting the process. Inline and in-situ measurements deliver precise data directly where it is needed.
What distinguishes fiber optic sensors from conventional PAT sensors?
What distinguishes fiber optic sensors from conventional PAT sensors?
Fiber optics uses light instead of electrical signals, operates without contact, is EMC-immune, and can withstand high temperatures.
Yes – modern PAT systems deliver real-time data without sample collection.
Pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food, materials and battery production – everywhere where process parameters need to be continuously monitored and controlled.
Close collaboration with leading analytical instrument manufacturers ensures that optical interfaces function precisely, stably, and reliably in the long term. FOS INON makes fiber optics an active component of process analytics, sustainably improving quality, efficiency, and process safety.
Application Areas
- Chemistry & Industry 4.0: Inline monitoring of reactors, mixing processes, concentrations and temperature profiles.
- Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology: Control of granulation, drying, concentration and API quality via inline spectroscopy.
- Food & Beverages: Real-time quality monitoring of moisture, composition and process parameters.
- Manufacturing & Automotive: Monitoring of CNC machines, joining processes or inline testing stations.
Fiber optic sensors enable precise, continuous measurements even under demanding process conditions and in confined installation environments.
Fiber optic sensors as a Key Technology
Fiber optic sensors use light to detect physical quantities such as temperature, pressure, or chemical composition. Changes in intensity, wavelength, or polarization are evaluated.
Advantages of Fiber Optic Sensors for PAT
- No electrical energy at the measuring point – ideal for potentially explosive or harsh environments
- High chemical and thermal resistance thanks to quartz and special glass fibers
- Flexible configuration allows installation in confined or challenging environments
- Inline measurements possible, compatible with UV/VIS, NIR, or Raman analysis
Typical technologies
Fiber optic spectroscopy, inline Raman probes, fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors, optical temperature and pressure measurements. These components are specifically optimized for PAT applications and compatible with FOS INON systems.
Optical Adaptation for PAT Applications
Not telecommunications, but precise optical function is crucial: wavelength ranges, signal stability and plug-in systems are precisely tailored to the measurement process.
- Defined spectral ranges (UV, VIS, NIR)
- Optimized transmission and low attenuation
- Selection of fiber, core, and cladding materials based on chemical/thermal stress
- Reproducible signal quality over extended operating times
- Connectors (SMA, FC, ST, or custom solutions) for secure coupling to analytical instruments
- Bundle geometries for illumination and detection, coaxial or separate
The optical interfaces are considered a functional component of the measurement system, not just a passive transmission.
Our services
FOS INON bietet PAT-kompatible Glasfaserlösungen vom Prototyp bis zur Serienfertigung.
Service Portfolio
- Customized fiber optic sensor points and cable assemblies for PAT
- Assembled fibers and bundles for inline spectroscopy
- Robust cladding and protective solutions for industrial environments
- Integration into UV/VIS, NIR, or Raman systems
- Support and system engineering from development to series production
- Cooperation with leading PAT system providers
Why FOS INON
Many years of experience, ISO-9001 compliant production and collaborative integration into PAT systems worldwide.
Why Choose Light Guides from FOS Inon Fiber Optics?
Quality “Made in Germany” pays off. Thanks to our proprietary manufacturing and testing processes, we offer custom solutions for numerous applications, from laboratories to aerospace.
Manufacturing Process
To ensure our light guides and fiber optic products meet the highest standards, we rely on a specialized manufacturing process. This allows us to guarantee exceptional chemical and tactile robustness so they can perform optimally in their respective environments. Precision is a critical factor in this, true to our motto: “Making the impossible happen.”
Materials Used
- Borosilicate: Glass with high temperature resistance and chemical resilience.
- PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylate): A thermoplastic, lightweight plastic with high light transmittance.
- Silica-Hard Clad: A robust plastic coating for improved strength and durability.
- Silica-Silica for UV and NIR Wavelengths: Our specialized glass fibers, optimized for the transmission of light in the ultraviolet (UV) and near-infrared (NIR) ranges.
Optional Specifications:
- Various apertures available
- Polarization can be maintained
- Anti-reflection coating possible
- Various lengths, diameters, bending radii, converters, and vacuum feedthroughs optional
- Various connectors and ferrules suitable for industry and medicine
Our commitment / Your advantage
- Planning and design
- Sampling
- Development and construction
- Lighting manufacturing
- Certified production
- Installation and service
- Seminars and training courses
… and much more!
Learn more
Do you need further information, a customized quote, or expert advice for your project? We are always available to assist you.
Reliability doesn’t happen by chance.
At FOS Inon Optics, quality is not just a promise—it is a standard that can be measured. Our development and manufacturing processes for fiber-optic systems are ISO 9001:2015 certified. This establishes the foundation for reliable performance, reproducible results, and trust wherever optical precision is critical.
