Fiber optics is a technology for high speed data transmission. They are cables made of transparent, reflective material, and can be as thin as human hair.
In these fiber optic filaments, light is reflected and travels at much higher speeds than the transmission of energy over copper wires, for example.
This type of fiber is mainly used by telecommunications companies, due to its high degree of security in the delivery of information. The technology that provides the use of optical fiber is essential for the expansion of digital technologies, allowing an uninterrupted and fast communication of signals and data, whether by voice or video.
Optical fibers are formed by a core of transparent material, which forms the mirror that will reflect light and allow the transmission of information. This core is usually composed of an absolutely pure glass strand, in perfect light-reflecting conditions. It is from this reflection that data is transmitted, when a light source emits a beam at one end, which must reach the other.
But there are also fiber optic cables made from other transparent materials, such as plastic. But because they are not as pure in composition as glass, transmission is impaired and takes a shorter path.
The electrical signals to be transmitted by optical fiber are emitted from a laser or LED source, and must be converted into light pulses by special devices for this task. These light pulses communicate through optical fibers by binary values, the bits, which correspond to the transmitted data.
Among its uses are data transmission in telecommunications, and it already reaches homes through internet services provided by fiber optic cables. It also has medical uses, in the creation of equipment such as the endoscope that are used to carry out less invasive exams and with greater diagnostic accuracy.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Optical Fiber
The advantages of optical fiber are many, but the expansion of its use in replacement of fiber optics metal finds resistance in the price, as the process for manufacturing the fiber is still very expensive.
In relation to metal wires, optical fiber offers an advantage as it uses raw materials that are more abundant than metal in its manufacture. Glass core cables also do not suffer from interference from electromagnetic waves, as well as do not oxidize or corrode depending on the environment in which they are.
Single-mode and multi-mode optical fibers
There are two types of fiber optic cables: singlemode and multimode.
The cable singlemode it is most recommended for transmitting data over long distances. It has a larger diameter and inside it the light is reflected more efficiently, but it only works by emitting one light signal at a time.
already the cable multimode it is more common, mainly used over short distances. This is because it is cheaper and easier to install, but it doesn't have the same performance over long distances, losing information.
Optical fiber or optical fiber?
Both forms, optical fiber or optical fiber, are correct in Portuguese, with the same meaning. According to the New Agreement of the Portuguese Language, the letter P that is not pronounced in a word must be removed from its writing. Therefore, the way the word is spoken came to determine its wording.
But according to some specialists, the word optics would be the most correct due to its origin in Greek, demarcating what is related to vision.
In physics, the concept of optics is the branch dedicated to the study of light production, transmission and radiation phenomena. And so the fiber based on the principle of light refraction would be optical fiber. Whereas optics originates from another Greek term, but in reference to the ear and hearing. But both forms are accepted.
Learn more about the meaning of optics.