Optical fiber is a thin, flexible, transparent strand or filament made of glass or plastic used for transmitting light signals over long distances with minimal loss of signal quality. It serves as a medium for conveying information in the form of light pulses, typically in the realm of telecommunications, networking, and data transmission.
The core of an optical fiber is the central region through which light travels. It is surrounded by a cladding layer that has a lower refractive index than the core, allowing the light to be effectively confined within the core through total internal reflection. This design enables light to propagate through the fiber with minimal dispersion and attenuation, resulting in efficient transmission over long distances.
Optical fibers are characterized by their low signal loss, high bandwidth, and immunity to electromagnetic interference, making them ideal for transmitting large amounts of data over vast distances. They are widely used in various applications, including telecommunications networks, internet infrastructure, cable television systems, medical imaging devices, and industrial sensors.
