What is an optical fiber ? Write its advantages.
Optical fibers: Optical fibers are used for transmission of light. An optical fiber is a thin transparent rod, usually made of glass or plastic, through which light can propagate. The light signals travel through the rod from the transmitter to the receiver and can be easily detected at the receiving end of the optical fiber. The principal of total internal reflection is used for the transmission of light signals through the optical fiber.
Advantages:
i) Transmission loss is low.
ii) Fiber is lighter and less bulky than equivalent copper cable.
iii) More information can be carried by each fiber than by equivalent copper cables.
iv) There is no interference in the transmission of light from electrical disturbances or electrical noise.
Applications: The various applications of fiber in communication area are, voice telephones, video phones, message services, data network etc.