Fiber Optics
By Charanjit Gill
Definition
Also known as optical fiber.
Transparent fiber is flexible.
Transparent fiber is flexible.
- Made from: Plastic thinner than that of a strand of human hair.
- Made from: Drawing glass, also known as glass fiber; a.k.a. Silica.
History of Fiber Optics
Who:
- John Tyndall; british physicist.
- He theoried that light could travel in bent patterns.
- He realized this when he noticed this that light could travel in a curved, /bent stream of water.
- In 1854.
- He proved this by setting up a tank of water with a pipe that ran out of one side. As water flowed from the pipe, he shone a light into the tank into the stream of water. As the water fell, an arc of light followed the water down.
- The French Chappe brothers invented the first "optical telegraph."
- Consisted of a variety of lights, which were "mounted on towers where operators would relay a message from one tower to the next."
Timeline
1854
- John Tyndall demonstrated to the Royal Society that a light signal could be bent.
- Alexander Graham Bell invented the 'Photophone.' It transmitted a voice signal with a beam of light.
- William Wheeler invented a system of light pipes with highly reflective coated that illuminated homes by using light from an electric are lamp.
- Roth and Reuss of Vienna were able to illuminate body cavities using bent glass.
- American Scientist David Smith applied for a patent on a bent glass rod device to be used as a surgical lamp.
How does fiber optics work?
They are used transmit light between both ends of the fiber.
- Find wide usage in fiber optic communications.
- They transmit light over longer distances than wire cables.
Effect of Fiber Optics on Society
This type of technology is widely used across the world, with a old and simple technique of light refraction. Optical fibres are excellent for long distance communications, as the wires are made flexible from glass or high strength transparent fibers. They are also of much better use than metal/copper wires, as they are considered carry more data transmissions than metal/copper wires. As well as, fiber cables have the plus side of being lighter in weight and thinner. It's excellent for the LAN (local area networks). These networks are associated with offices, buildings or consolidated buildings that work on the same cause. The network eases transfer of data and communication among the staff. The LAN can connect through phone line and radio waves. These enables the firms conduct interactive features such as the video conferencing.
Bibliography
http://www.explainthatstuff.com/fiberoptics.html
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/fiber-optic.htm
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/question402.htm
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_fiber
https://www.broadbandchoices.co.uk/ask-our-expert/how-does-fibre-optic-broadband-work
https://nextgentechnologies12.wordpress.com/2012/04/11/hello-world/
Interesting Facts
Fibers are used instead of metal wires, due to the fact that using fibers transmits the signals of light to the other end more than metal would.
- Fibers can withstand electromagnetic interference; rather than metal, of which is not immune to electromagnetic interference.
- Fibers are used in bundles; for the fact that this conducts an easier transmission of images from one end of the fibers to the other.
- Fibers are also used for "illumination."