Fiber Optics: Their Use in Communications The field of communications is one in which the technologies are changing on an almost daily basis. Numerous different technologies have been pursued over the past few years; each designed to essentially accomplish several basic purposes in terms of community service. Three of the most actively pursued application include interactive distance learning, video conferencing, and entertainment. While it is the first two, video conferencing and interactive distance learning, which would serve to the best advantage in terms of education and business; it is the last, entertainment which has the most appeal to the largest number of people. The application of various communications applications in terms of education and business is currently being utilized in remote learning programs and company training programs around the nation. One technology has maintained a position close to the lead in terms of staying in the running to win the coveted spot of the worlds most progressive and sought after communications application. This application is that of fiber optics.The TechnologyTo understand fiber optics in its application to communications, one must first have an understanding of the technology itself. The transmission of light through thin fibers of glass or plastic is the basis of the branch of physics known as fiber optics. Capable of transmitting light over more than one-hundred and fifty miles, these fibers are made of either pure glass or plastic. Each fiber is composed of two parts, the core and the cladding. Optical fibers vary in thickness from hair size (0.001 inch) in diameter and up. The core is composed of the glass or plastic and does the actual transmission of data. The core is typically covered in a sheath referred to as cladding. The cladding around each fiber serves to reflect the light traveling through the fiber back inward into the core of the fiber and to prevent t...
