FIBER OPTICS

Student: Edmir KoreProfessor: Vaso Cano

Table of Contents:
◦ Definition
◦ How do Fiber optics work
◦ Components of a fiber optic cable
◦ Categories of fiber cables
◦ What is the Fiber Optic Core
◦ What is the Fiber Optic Cladding
◦ What is the Fiber Optic Coating
◦ What are the Strengthening Fibers
◦ What is the Fiber Optic Cable Jacket
◦ Fiber optics uses
◦ Advantages of Fiber optics
◦ Disadvantages of Fiber optics
Definition:
◦ Fiber optics is the technology used to transmit information as pulses of light through strands of
fiber made of glass or plastic over long distances.
◦ Optical fibers are about the diameter of a strand of human hair and when bundled into a fiber-
optic cable, they’re capable of transmitting more data over longer distances and faster than
other mediums. It is this technology that provides homes and businesses with fiber-optic
internet, phone and TV services.
How fiber optics works
◦ Fiber optics transmits data in the form of light particles, or photons, that pulse through a fiber optic
cable. The glass fiber core and the cladding each have a different refractive index that bends incoming
light at a certain angle.
◦ When light signals are sent through the fiber optic cable, they reflect off the core and cladding in a series
of zig-zag bounces, following a process called total internal reflection. The light signals do not travel at
the speed of light because of the denser glass layers, instead traveling about 30% slower than the speed
of light.
◦ To renew, or boost, the signal throughout its journey, fiber optics transmission sometimes requires
repeaters at distant intervals. These repeaters regenerate the optical signal by converting it to an electrical
signal, processing that electrical signal and retransmitting the optical signal.
Components Of a fiber
cable:
◦ A fiber optic cable consists of
five main components:
1 – The core
2 – The cladding
3 – The coating
4 - The strength member
5 - The cable jacket
What is the Fiber Optic Core?
◦ This is the physical glass medium that transports optical signals from an attached light source to a
receiving device. The light is transported along the optical fiber via the core. The core of an optical fiber
is most often constructed of glass, though there are some that are made of plastic as well. The glass that
is utilized in the core is exceptionally pure silicon dioxide (SiO2), which is a very transparent substance.
◦ Depending on their intended use, cores of optical fibers can be used in a range of applications. The
typical thickness of a glass core can range anywhere from 8-10 um (microns) for single-mode and 62.5-
50 um for multimode;
Categories of fibers
◦ There are primarily two categories of optical
fiber: single-mode fiber and multimode fiber,
which can be distinguished by the diameter of
their cores. Light travels at a single wavelength
toward the center of the core of a single-mode
fiber, which has a core that is between 8-10
microns in diameter, typically 9 microns for
single-mode fiber. Light in a multimode cable
travels in multiple paths down the fiber and
bounces between the core and cladding as it
travels down the core. The core of multimode
fiber can be either 50 microns (most common) or
62.5 microns in diameter.
What is the Fiber Optic Cladding?
◦ This is a thin layer that is extruded over the core and serves as the boundary that contains the light waves,
enabling data to travel through the length of the fiber.
◦ Cladding is what surrounds the core of an optical fiber and has a lower refractive index than the core.
This allows the optical fiber to function.
◦ When glass cladding is utilized, both the cladding and the core are produced simultaneously from a
silicon dioxide-based material in a permanently fused state. This process occurs when the glass cladding
is applied.
What is the Fiber Optic Coating?
◦ The actual protective layer of the optical fiber is the coating. It prevents the cladding from being
damaged by shocks, nicks, scratches, and even dampness by acting as a shock absorber. Without the
coating, an optical fiber is extremely susceptible to damage. The bending of the optical fiber could create
even a single, microscopic puncture in the cladding that would cause the fiber to break. The ability of the
optical fiber to transmit light is not affected in any way by the coating.
◦ A specific kind of performance or environment led to the decision to go with this particular coating.
Acrylate is a form of coating that is quite common. Typically, two layers of this coating are applied to the
surface. The primary coating is put on by brushing it straight onto the cladding. This coating is gentle,
and because of this, it acts as a cushion for the optical fiber whenever it is bent. The first coating is
somewhat soft in comparison to the secondary coating, which results in a tougher exterior.
What are the Strengthening Fibers?
◦ Aramid yarn is utilized in fiber optic cables as a tensile strength member, which implies that it contributes to
preventing the cable from stretching or breaking when it is subjected to tension. In addition to this, it can be
utilized to provide further protection against being crushed, bent, or twisted. Because it is both flame resistant
and self-extinguishing, aramid yarn can also be utilized as a component of fire protection.
◦ A wide variety of other applications make use of aramid yarn in addition to its use in fiber optic cables. These
other applications include clothing that is resistant to being cut and ballistic-rated body armor, as well as
ropes and cables for use in industrial and marine applications, and reinforcement for composite materials used
in the aerospace and automotive industries.
◦ In fiber optic cables, aramid yarn plays an important role because it protects the fragile optical fibers that are
contained within the cable from damage caused by mechanical stress.
◦ Because it offers both mechanical and thermal protection for the optical fibers that are included within a fiber
optic cable, aramid yarn plays a significant role in the overall process of guaranteeing the dependable and
secure operation of fiber optic cables.
What is the Fiber Optic Cable Jacket?
◦ The protective jackets that are placed around fiber optic cables are extremely important in preventing the fragile fibers
that are contained within the cable from being damaged by outside forces and elements. The following is a list of the
various types of jackets that can be found in fiber optic cables:
◦ Plenum: Plenum-rated jackets are composed of a material that is resistant to fire and are used in air-handling zones like
ceilings and walls.
◦ Riser: Riser-rated jackets are meant to be fire-resistant and are used in vertical cable runs between floors. These lines
are referred to as risers.
◦ LSZH: Low smoke, zero halogen jackets are made of a flame-retardant material that, when burned, creates very little
smoke and no harmful halogen vapors. These coats are frequently seen in public institutions like hospitals and airports,
where they are employed to keep people warm.
◦ Outdoor: Jackets that are approved for use in outdoor environments are constructed to endure severe weather
conditions, including high temperatures and ultraviolet radiation. Outdoor applications, such as buried or aerial cable
lines, are among the most prevalent places you'll find them deployed.
Fiber optics uses:
1. Computer networking and broadcasting
◦ Computer networking is a common fiber optics use case due to optical fiber's ability to transmit data and
provide high bandwidth. Similarly, fiber optics is frequently used in broadcasting and electronics to
provide better connections and performance.
2. Internet and cable television
◦ Internet and cable television are two of the more common use cases for fiber optics. Fiber optics can be
installed to support long-distance connections between computer networks in different locations.
3. Undersea environments
◦ Fiber optic cables are used in more at-risk environments, like undersea cables, as they can be submerged
in water and don't need to be frequently replaced.
Fiber optics uses:
4. Military and space
◦ Military and space industries also make use of optical fiber as a means of communication and signal
transfer in addition to its ability to provide temperature sensing. Fiber optic cables can be beneficial due
to their lighter weight and smaller size.
5. Medical
◦ Fiber optics is frequently used in a variety of medical instruments to provide precise illumination. It also
increasingly enables biomedical sensors that aid in minimally invasive medical procedures. Because
optical fiber is not subject to electromagnetic interference, it is ideal for various tests like MRI scans.
Other medical applications for fiber optics include X-ray imaging, endoscopy, light therapy and surgical
microscopy.
Advantages of Fiber optics:
1. They support higher bandwidth capacities.
2. Light can travel further without needing as much of a signal boost.
3. They are less susceptible to interference, such as electromagnetic interference.
4. They can be submerged in water.
5. Fiber optic cables are stronger, thinner and lighter than copper wire cables.
6. They do not need to be maintained or replaced as frequently.
Disadvantages of Fiber optics:
1. Fiber optics is often more expensive than copper wire.
2. Glass fiber requires more protection within an outer cable than copper.
3. Installing new cabling is labor intensive.
4. Fiber optic cables are often more fragile. For example, the fibers can be broken, or a signal can be
lost if the cable is bent or curved around a radius of a few centimeters.
References:
◦ What Is Fiber Optics? Definition from SearchNetworking. (n.d.). SearchNetworking.
https://www.techtarget.com/searchnetworking/definition/fiber-optics-optical-fiber#:~:text=Fiber
%20optics%2C%20or%20optical%20fiber
◦ ‌ asic Components of a Fiber Optic Cable. (n.d.). TrueFIBER. https://www.truefiber.com/blogs/fiber-
B
forum/basic-components-of-a-fiber-optic-cable
◦ ‌ hat is Fiber Optics - Definition, Meaning & Explanation. (2023, February 21). Verizon.com.
W
https://www.verizon.com/articles/internet-essentials/fiber-optics-definition/