Fiber optics is being used with increasing regularity due to the many advantages it provides over more traditional data transmission technologies such as copper wire. But what is it about fiber optic cables that make them so efficient?

How Are Fiber Optic Cables Made?

Fiber optics refers to the application of optical strands to transmit data using light signals. Most optical filaments are made of glass or, less commonly, plastic. Glass is more often used because there is less signal loss over long distances than with plastic.

Each optical thread is basically made of two "layers". The center is aptly named "the core" and this is where the light signals are sent through. Surrounding the core is the second layer, referred to as the cladding. The cladding is what retains the signal within the core, using a principle called "total internal reflection". The cladding is reflective, guiding the light indicators to travel through the core, while preventing the signals from escaping or being absorbed by external components.

Singlemode and Multimode Fibers

Optical strands can be grouped into two main categories. The first called singlemode fibers support one single propagation path, allowing one signal at a time. Singlemode are used for most communication links longer than 200 meters. Alternatively, there are also multimode fibers. These generally have a large-diameter core, and are used for short-distance communication links or for applications where high power must be transmitted.

How is information transmitted with light?

The light signal transmitted through these strands is not actually one continual beam of light. Rather, it is made up of short bursts of light signals. This process was derived from Morse code, the communication system involving series' of short and long signals representing individual values. This is also why computer code consists of only 1's and 0's.

Fiber Optics boasts many advantages over traditional cables, such as copper. Optical strands allow higher transfer rates, faster speeds and more reliability. They are safer and actually cost less in the long run than metal wire. Unlike metal wires, optical threads are immune to electromagnetic interference, have a much lower chance of fire or shorts, and prevent "crosstalk" between close cables.

For these reasons, fiber optics has become the best choice for many industries, including telecommunication systems, cable television transmission and data networks.