The Principles of Fibre Optics

Principles of Fibre Optics

Fibre optics is a technology that uses thin, flexible fibres of glass or other solid materials to transmit information in the form of light signals.
More resilient and efficient than traditional copper wire, fibre optics is widely used in telecommunications, internet connectivity, and medical instruments.

Fibre optics works on the principle of total internal reflection. This is when light strikes one material from another at an angle greater than a certain critical angle, resulting in the light being completely reflected back into the first material rather than refracted.
The fibre optic cable consists of at least two parts: the inner core and the outer cladding. Light passes through the core, while the cladding layer acts as a boundary that keeps the light trapped in the core due to total internal reflection.
The principle of conservation of light, or more specifically the conservation of optical power, is pivotal in fibre optics. This principle states that the optical power going into a fibre optic cable is approximately the same as the power coming out, except for some minor losses due to absorption or scattering.

Single-mode fibre (SMF) cables have a narrow core that allows light to take essentially one path along the cable, ensuring that a signal will retain its shape and intensity over long distances. They are used for high-speed data transmission.
Multimode fibre (MMF) cables have a larger core that allows multiple light paths within. They have higher capacity but signals deteriorate over longer distances due to different light paths crossing and interfering with each other. They are used for shorter-range transmissions.
In addition to the core and cladding, fibre optic cables contain a buffer coating for protection, and often multiple fibres are bundled together with additional layers for strength and insulation.

Fibre optics plays a major role in telecommunication and broadband internet services, enabling fast, reliable data transmission.
In medicine, fibre optics enables high-resolution imaging and precise surgical procedures.
Scientific research, such as astronomy and physics, utilises fibre optics for accurate data collection and analysis.
The military and law enforcement use fibre optics for secure communication lines due to their resilience to electromagnetic interference and ease of surveillance detection.