The world of telecommunications, dominated by copper cable networks for years, is slowly incorporating fibre optics˳ Fibre optics, or optical fibre as they are also known, transmit information as light pulses through a glass or plastic strand˳ They are useful in high-performance and long-distance data networking˳
An optical fibre contains glass or plastic strands ranging from a handful to a couple hundred˳ A glass layer known as cladding surrounds these fibres˳ The buffer layer, another layer of glass, supports the cladding and the jacket layer is the final layer of protection for the individual strands˳
How do Fibre Optics Work?
Transmission of data across the fibre occurs through light particles or photons that pulse through the fibre˳ The cladding and glass fibre core refract the incoming light at different angles based on their refractive index˳ Once the photons are sent through the glass fibres, they reflect off the cladding and the core in zigzag bounces in a process called total internal reflection˳ These pulses travel at a speed 30% lesser than light because they travel through a denser medium: glass˳
Types of Fibre Optics
There are two major types of fibre optics: single mode and multimode˳ Single mode fibre optics are used for long-distance communication due to the glass core’s reduced diameter, which also cuts the loss of signal strength-or attenuation˳ Single mode fibre support higher bandwidth over longer distances, and the light source is mainly a laser˳ They are expensive because high-level precision is required to channel the light through glass strands with small diameters˳
Multimode fibres are best suited for short-distance communication˳ The larger diameter of the glass core allows multiple light pulses to be sent across the glass strand simultaneously and transmit more data˳ However, it means that there is a higher possibility of signal reduction, interference or loss˳ LED is the typical source of light for Multimode fibres˳
Advantages of Fibre Optics
Fibre cables can support higher bandwidths than copper wires, and light can move further without a boost˳ They are less susceptible to interference, can be submerged in water and are stronger, lighter and thinner than copper cables˳ Most importantly, they do not have to be replaced or maintained frequently˳
Applications of Fibre Optics
Computer networking is a growing user of fibres because of its ability to provide high bandwidth and transmit data˳ It is also used in long-distance communication between computer networks˳ It is used to provide better performance and connections in electronics and broadcasting˳ Military and space industries use optic fibres for their temperature sensing, signal transfer and as a means of communication˳ They are especially preferred for their lightweight and small size˳
Medical industries use fibres to provide precise illuminations˳ Fibres are used in biomedical sensors that aid in medical procedures, especially those that are minimally invasive˳ Fibres are ideal for MRI scans as they are not subject to external interferences like electromagnetic interference˳ Moreover, fibres are used in light therapy, endoscopy, surgical imaging and X-Ray imaging˳
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