Fiber Optics: Transparent, Flexible & Essential for Lighting & Comm - Essay Sample

Introduction

Fiber optics refers to a transparent and flexible fiber which is made from plastic or drawing glass and is of a diameter which is slightly thicker compared to the human air. It is vital that it is applied in many areas of lighting and communication. There are two different fiber types, and they include the multimode fibers and the single mode fibers. The single mode transmits single data streams, and it has a thinner core. On the other hand, the multimode allows for different data streams in a particular fiber and light can be sent through various angles in the fiber. In multimode, rays meet the boundary of the core-cladding at an angle which is higher than the boundary's critical angle and are reflected completely. The critical angle can be determined by looking at the difference between the refraction index of the cladding materials and the core. At many times, optic fiber is used in transmitting light between the ends of the fiber and is widely used in the communication involving fiber optic. It allows for longer distance transmissions and with higher data rates compared to electric cables. Fiber optic has greater benefits compared to electrical cables especially when it comes to saving power and producing light and seen in this paper.

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The Ability to Save Power

Fiber optics have contributed significantly in communications involving long distance but have failed to play a crucial role in power transmission since the rate of power loss in the fiber optic cables is higher compared to the rate of power loss in the transmission lines of electrons. The electrical power line of high voltage continues to be an economical mode for energy transportation over a few kilometers. On the contrary, if an individual attempted to guide a laser through 50km in a single mode fiber, they will find power at the other end has already gone down to 10% of the initial input. Surprisingly, it is challenging to pump large quantities of fiber in the optical fiber. In general, it is challenging to create or come up with very high lasers with higher powers.

Achieving high output power in a system that is fiber-based can be done through the utilization of the power amplifiers such as the Master Oscillator Power Amplifier (MOPA). Spectral parameters and high beam quality can be guaranteed by a laser source which has low power. Ideally, transmission of light along the optical fiber is through internal reflection whereby optical is produced from the electric power that has laser diode and converted back again electric power to be used by electronic devices. It is therefore essential to note that optical loses within the fiber is mainly attributed to scattering in which the transmission distance and efficiency power of the system is limited. Transmission distances which are longer can be achieved operation of systems at optical wavelengths that are longer as this reduces the drastically the Rayleigh scattering (Jiang, Zhou, Xiao, & Ma, 2015).

The Ability to Produce Light

Fiber optics has greater ability and importance in the production of light, and it is widely used in the transmission of light from a given source to another remote location for illumination and communication purposes. The fiber optics ability to produce light can be attributed to its essential characteristics and advantages that make it more preferable. The fibers are not only designed to transmit but also to glow in the fiber itself hence resembling neon tubes. The light can be emitted at the fiber's end thus creating a glow, or it can be emitted from the fiber's outer part and along its length making it look like a fluorescent or neon tube. In lighting purpose, a fiber optic can be due to some unique characteristics and ability. Given that the source of light is remote, the fiber enables transmission of the light and at the same time isolating the heat generated from the source of light from the illumination point. This consideration is essential in the lighting of objects of delicate nature such as a display in museums which are likely to be damaged by intense light and heat. Electrical safety is another crucial element that enhances the ability of fiber optics to produce light. Various underwater lighting like in swimming pools can be carried out safely through fiber optic lighting, and this is possible as the fiber remains nonconductive enabling safe placement of the light source power.

Additionally, chromatic dispersion which enables the various wavelengths of light to be spread through the core is essential for the bandwidth hence indicating the ability for the fiber optic to produce light. Fiber optic can also be combined with other lenses to bring about light which is carefully focused on the tiny sports which are mainly popular among the jewelry displays, and exhibits are museums. More straightforward installation of the optical fiber makes it more preferable for light production as it does not require electrical tables to be installed in the light locators and several fibers can use a single source of light making installation even more straightforward.

The source of light is called the fiber optic illuminator which consists of a light source which is bright and some optics to focus light towards the fiber more efficiently. The optical fibers have a core that enables transmission of light and optical cladding which makes light trapping in the fiber's core possible. The lighting fibers generally use large cores which has thin claddings to maximize light coupling into the fiber from the illuminator. The side-emitting fibers contains an interface which is rough between the cladding and the core to enable scattering of light from the core along the fiber's length to create a lightened look that is consistent and is same as neon light tubes (Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Forbes, Berry, Dennis, Andrews, Mansuripur, & Karimi, 2016).

Conclusion

In conclusion, fiber optics has proven to be essential in the day to day activities as brought about by the changing technological landscape. The much convenient fiber optics has enhanced both communication and light production. From the discussion, fiber optics has various unique features that make it distinct from the standard metallic cables and this makes it more preferred. Fiber optics' ability to save power, however, is lower, and it can be enhanced by using amplifiers that bring about the electromagnetic fields. Ideally, fiber optics produces lights which resemble that of neon and are used in jewelry shops to enhance the focus and on museums. It is therefore clear that fiber optics is driving the technological world and the corporate business and efforts should be made to improve and make it better.

References

Rubinsztein-Dunlop, H., Forbes, A., Berry, M. V., Dennis, M. R., Andrews, D. L., Mansuripur, M., & Karimi, E. (2016). Roadmap on structured light. Journal of Optics, 19(1), 013001. Retrieved from https://upcommons.upc.edu/bitstream/handle/2117/107754/Roadmap%20on%20structured%20light%202016.pdf

Jiang, M., Zhou, P., Xiao, H., & Ma, P. (2015). A high-power narrow-linewidth 1018 nm fiber laser based on a single-mode-few-mode-single-mode structure. High Power Laser Science and Engineering, 3. Retrieved from https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/E571CB9A962D5E47DF8E46E821E0B36B/S2095471915000249a.pdf/div-class-title-a-high-power-narrow-linewidth-1018-nm-fiber-laser-based-on-a-single-mode-few-mode-single-mode-structure-div.pdf