Fibre Optics
The transmission of radiant energy through transparent fibres of glass, plastic or fused silica.
Bend Loss
Result of curvature of the fibre and/or small distortions in the fibre producing increased attenuation.
Cladding
Outer concentric layer surrounding the fiber core, having a lower index of refraction.
Core
Centre section of the optical fibre carrying the light.
Fibre Coating
Material immediately covering the optical fibre to preserve the integrity of the fibre.
Index Matching Gel
Material whose index of refraction is almost equal to that of the fibre core and is used to minimize Fresnel reflections.
Macrobending
Curvature of a fibre which causes loss of light.
Microbending
Microscopic bends and bumps in the fibre which cause loss of light by scattering.
Mode
A term used to describe an independent light path through a fibre, as in multimode or single-mode:
Mode Coupling
Energy exchange between modes of light propagating in an optical fibre.
Single Mode Fibre An optical fibre that supports only one mode of light propagation above the cutoff wavelength.
Multimode Fibre An optical waveguide in which light travels in multiple modes.
See also: Fused Silica, Graded Index Fibre, Index Matching Gel, Mode Coupling, Multi Mode Fibre, Plastic, Single Mode Fibre.
Subjects: Optics