Fiber Optics

What the big deal anyway? Isn't that just like glass tubes that emit really cool lights when you cut them? More than that, actually, fiber optic cables are the reason why we can connect to the internet, talk to people over long distances and enjoy cable TV. They are also used in medical imaging and mechanical engineering inspection.

How do they transport information anyway?

First of all, we have to know what are the parts of an optic fiber.
Core - this is where the signals travel
Cladding - the thing that reflects signals bck into the core
Buffer coating - outer covering and protection from harsh elements such as moisture which
can destroy the connection
Jacket - holds single optic fiber together



The key here is internal reflection. Yes, reflection *groan*. The information is transmitted as signals, see? So, have you seen a light from laser? The light that goes in a straight path? If you turned it on in a room full of mirrors, the light bounces of to the next mirror, to the next one, so on, so forth, right? Well, signals are like that; they look like "concentrated light rays". Bouncing off the cladding into the core to travel great distances. Th principle used is total internal reflection.

Um... For the meantime, I'll try to understand this principle and tell you about it next time. I need to study for the exams... Ehenh..