Fiber Optics Science or Fibre Optics Science

Fiber Optic Science, Fibre Optic Science

The science of Fiber Optics depends on the creation of thin filaments of optically-pure material that exhibit characteristics of total internal reflection.

Total internal reflection occurs at the boundary of two optical materials with different physical characteristics. The difference in characteristics results in light travelling at different velocities within each material. The differing velocities cause a "bending" or change of direction of travel of wavelengths of light. Correct selection of the two materials will result in all, or most of the light energy travelling through the first material being reflected back into the first material rather than refracted into the second material.

When the materials form a tube, the reflection process can be repeated many times as the light travels down the tube. This process may continue for long distances. Eventually, other physical effects will dissipate the light energy (attenuation) or cause other changes that will affect practical applications.
The origins of understanding this phemomenon is embodyied in Snell's Law [ diagram, details]

Critical condition for total internal reflection to occur is that light moves from a material with higher refractive index to one of a lowere refractive index.


Section will cover Snell's Law, total internal reflection, cladding, theory of coherent optics. Discussion of attenuation, dispersion (chromatic), polarization reflectance and other factors. Communications applications, medical applications and scientific applications. Young, Fresnell, Maxwells equations for modern treatment and mathematical basis. Review components. Discuss lasers used in conjunction with fiber optics in medicine and communications. Computer applications, routers and similar devices.


Colladon, Hopkins, van Heel, Lamm Kao & Hockham at STL,

To be continued ..