Fiber+Optics

=Fiber Optics= LBlairtoc

Fiber Optics are long, thin strands of very pure glass about the diameter of a human hair. They are arranged in bundles called optical cables and used to transmit light signals over long distances. Hundreds or thousands of these optical fibers are arranged in bundles in optical cables. The bundles are protected by the cable's outer covering, called a jacket. Single-mode fibers have small cores and transmit infrared laser light. Multi-mode fibers have larger cores and transmit infrared light from light emitting diodes (LEDs). Some optical fibers can be made from plastic. These fibers have a large core and transmit visible red light from LEDs. The light in a fiber-optic cable travels through the core by constantly bouncing from the cladding, a principle called total internal reflection. Because the cladding does not absorb any light from the core, the light wave can travel great distances. However, some of the light signal degrades within the fiber, mostly due to impurities in the glass. The extent that the signal degrades depends on the purity of the glass and the wavelength of the transmitted light. []

Purpose
//What is the fundamental purpose of the device?// Used for digital TV, Internet, Christmas trees, and frisbees.

Energy
//What energy transformations are seen in its operation?// Fiber optic cable functions as a "light guide," guiding the light introduced at one end of the cable through the other end. The light source can be either a light-emitting diode (LED) or a laser. An electrical pulse is converted to an electrical light conversion that passes through the fiber optic wire and is converted back to a pulse on your TV or computer.

Controls
What sensors/controls are designed into the device? Mechanical controls to direct the lights, mirrors to direct the light, and programmed sensors that take out words or phrases that they don't want to send are used in fiber optics.

Materials
What material(s) are essential to the device? //Fiber optics use glass to bounce lights of the walls of the tube and send the beams to a device like a TV. The glass is very thin, but flexible. It is usually coated in plastic for protection.//

Science
What is scientific principle is central to its operation? The speed of light is used to get the information from point A to point B instantaneously in fiber optics.

Design
What does a typical device look like? A very thin strand of glass covered by a plastic coating and wrapped in bundles that stretch long distances.

Evolution
What changes have there been (or could there be) in this device?


 * **Less expensive** - Several miles of optical cable can be made cheaper than equivalent lengths of copper wire. This saves your provider (cable TV, Internet) and you money.
 * **Thinner** - Optical fibers can be drawn to smaller diameters than copper wire.
 * **Higher carrying capacity** - Because optical fibers are thinner than copper wires, more fibers can be bundled into a given-diameter cable than copper wires. This allows more phone lines to go over the same cable or more channels to come through the cable into your cable TV box.
 * **Less signal degradation** - The loss of signal in optical fiber is less than in copper wire.
 * **Light signals** - Unlike electrical signals in copper wires, light signals from one fiber do not interfere with those of other fibers in the same cable. This means clearer phone conversations or TV reception.
 * **Low power** - Because signals in optical fibers degrade less, lower-power transmitters can be used instead of the high-voltage electrical transmitters needed for copper wires. Again, this saves your provider and you money.
 * **Digital signals** - Optical fibers are ideally suited for carrying digital information, which is especially useful in computer networks.
 * **Non-flammable** - Because no electricity is passed through optical fibers, there is no fire hazard.
 * **Lightweight** - An optical cable weighs less than a comparable copper wire cable. Fiber-optic cables take up less space in the ground.
 * **Flexible** - Because fiber optics are so flexible and can transmit and receive light, they are used in many flexible digital cameras for the following purposes:
 * **Medical imaging** - in bronchoscopes, endoscopes, laparoscopes
 * **Mechanical imaging** - inspecting mechanical welds in pipes and engines (in airplanes, rockets, spaceships, cars)
 * **Plumbing** - to inspect sewer lines

Competitors
//What other devices serve a similar purpose?// Cable TV versus Fiber Optics TV. (metal wire versus glass wire to bring information into houses.) Radio waves and over the air TV. Satellites broadcasting signals. CAT Scanner

Partners
//What other devices work in conjunction with this device?// Wireless phone companies are partners.

Siblings
//What other devices use the same scientific principle?// Lasers also use the speed of light.