opticalfibre

Optical fibre, also known as optical fiber or fibre optic cable, is a flexible, transparent fibre made by drawing glass (silica) or plastic. It is thinner than a human hair and functions as a waveguide, or "light pipe," to transmit light over distances. The principle behind optical fibre communication is total internal reflection. Light signals are sent down the fibre by bouncing off the inner walls. This process allows for data to be transmitted at very high speeds and over long distances with minimal signal loss.

Optical fibres are typically used for telecommunications and computer networking because they are superior to traditional metal wires. They can carry more data, allow for longer transmission distances, and are less susceptible to electromagnetic interference. The core of the fibre is surrounded by a cladding layer, which has a lower refractive index than the core. This difference in refractive indices is what enables total internal reflection.

There are two main types of optical fibre: single-mode and multi-mode. Single-mode fibre has a very small core diameter, allowing only one mode of light to propagate. This results in less signal dispersion and is used for long-distance transmissions. Multi-mode fibre has a larger core diameter, allowing multiple modes of light to travel simultaneously. This is generally used for shorter distances. Applications of optical fibre are widespread, including internet infrastructure, cable television, telephone lines, medical imaging, and industrial sensing.