Optical fiber

An optical fiber is a transparent thin fiber, usually made of glass or plastic, for transmitting light. Fiber optics is the branch of science and engineering concerned with such optical fibers.

Other uses of optical fibres

• Fibers can be used as light guides in medical and other applications where bright light needs to be brought to bear on a target without a clear line-of-sight path.
• Optical fibers can be used as sensors to measure strain, temperature, pressure and other parameters.
• Bundles of fibers are used along with lenses for long, thin imaging devices called endoscopes, which are used to view objects through a small hole. Medical endoscopes are used for minimally invasive exploratory or surgical procedures (endoscopy). Industrial endoscopes (see fiberscope or borescope) are used for inspecting anything hard to reach, such as jet engine interiors.
• In some high-tech buildings, optical fibers are used to route sunlight from the roof to other parts of the building.
• Optical fibers have many decorative applications, including signs and art, artificial Christmas trees, and lighting.
• A few communities have Fiber to the Home technology which provides subscribers with Ultra High Speed Internet, Telephone, and Television services.
• The German company Sennheiser developed a microphone working with a Laser and optical fibres. German article about this microphone