Fiber Optics
Also known as Optical Fibers
What are they?
Fiber optics are very thin strands of pure glass that are used to transmit light signals over long distances. There are two types of fiber optics: Single-mode fibers and Multi-mode fibers. Single-mode fibers are used to transmit laser light and have very small cores. Multi-mode fibers send out infrared light. Multi-mode fibers still have very small cores, but they are larger than the core of a single-mode fiber.
Parts of a Fiber Optic
Fiber Optics consist of a core, cladding, and buffer coating. The core is the middle of the wire where the light travels. Cladding is placed around the core and is used to reflect the light back into the core. To prevent damage a buffer coating is placed around the cladding and the core.
How Fiber Optics Works
Light travels through fiber optic cables by a principle called total internal reflection. This means that the light is constantly bouncing off of the cladding inside the cable. The cladding does not absorb any of the light, giving it the ability to travel very far.
Common Examples of Fiber Optics:
References
- Fiber-Optic Cable Definition. (n.d.). The Tech Terms Computer Dictionary. Retrieved January 29, 2013, from http://www.techterms.com/definition/fiberopticcable
- Freudenrich, C., & Ph.D.. (n.d.). HowStuffWorks "How Fiber Optics Work".HowStuffWorks "Computer". Retrieved January 29, 2013, from http://computer.howstuffworks.com/fiber-optic3.htm
- repeaters, u. o., & eliminated., t. p. (n.d.). Fiber Optic | Learn about Fiber Optic on instaGrok, the research engine.instaGrok | A new way to learn. Retrieved January 29, 2013, from http://www.instagrok.com/grok/?query=fiber%20opti
- What is Fiber-optic?. (n.d.). Computer Hope's free computer help. Retrieved January 29, 2013, from http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/f/fiberopt.htm