Photonic Seismology: A New Decade of Distributed Acoustic Sensing in Geophysics from 2012 to 2023

Abstract

This paper delivers an in-depth bibliometric analysis of distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) research within the realm of geophysics, covering the period from 2012 to 2023 and drawing on data from the Web of Science. By employing bibliographic and structured network analysis methods, including the use of Bibliometrix and VOSviewer^®, the study highlights the most influential scholars, leading institutions, and pivotal research contributions that have significantly shaped the field of DAS in geophysics. The research delves into key collaborative dynamics, unraveling them through co-authorship network analysis, and delves into thematic developments and trajectories via comprehensive co-citation and keyword co-occurrence network analyses. These analyses elucidate the most robust and prominent areas within DAS research. A critical insight gained from this study is the rise of ‘photonic seismology’ as an emerging interdisciplinary domain, exemplifying the fusion of photonic sensing techniques with seismic science. This paper also discusses certain limitations inherent in the study and concludes with implications for future research.