Sunday, November 1, 2009

Introduction To Optical Fibers

By Scott Rodgers

Fiber optics is basically a technology that uses thin and hollow glass threads in order to transmit data. Fiber optic cable is one that consists of large number of cables and each single cable is capable of transmitting large amount of messages. Fiber optics is the most advanced technology that is used to transmit data from one place to another.

Fiber optics communication uses the phenomenon of total internal reflection. If the angle of incidence increases the critical angle while traveling from one medium to another, total internal reflection occurs. The data to be transmitted is first light modulated, thus making it more suitable for transmission and immune to distortion.

Fiber optics dominate other methods for transferring information due to its advantageous characteristics. The use and demand for fiber optics has grown tremendously over the years. The biggest advantage is, it does not send the data continuously but in series of 1 and 0.

Copper cables are very much prone to external interferences like electromagnetic interference and radio frequency interference, but fiber optics are free from such limitations. Moreover it provides you larger bandwidth and thus find application in telephone lines.

The other important advantage of fiber optics is, it has very low bit error rates. Not only this, it is resistant to all kinds of temperature variations also.

Another positive point of fiber optics that makes it suitable for data transmission is its flexibility. These cables are so flexible that makes it easily transportable. This property makes them applicable in many digital cameras. These are very thin having a diameter of a human hair. These are now-a-days used to decorate homes. Light lamps and other such articles that are made up of fiber optics are commonly used for home decor.

Fiber optic cables are light weight and hence are very handy. Comparatively they need less space at the time of installation. Cost of manufacturing optic fiber cables is not much since they are made up of sand and silica.

All these qualities make fiber optics communication a better option and are replacing other conventional means faster. These are generally noticed in many industries, telecommunications and computer networks. The other applications of this is majorly seen in medical imaging in endoscopes, mechanical imaging to inspect mechanical welds in pipes and engines and in plumbing to inspect sewer lines.

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