What are the theoretical and practical limitations?
2006-07-04 09:28:21 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
For the most part they transmit data not power.
Fiber optic lines transmit light not electricity. in the future there might be things powered by light but not right now.
2006-07-04 09:37:50 · answer #1 · answered by georgephysics13 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Responders assume that the purpose of the question is to deliver electric power, and correctly note that fiber is not good at this. But there is another angle: how much optical power can you put into a fiber for the purpose of sending a signal? Answer: It is not unlimited, but it is a lot more than would be emitted by any signal source you would care to use.
As for sleeplessinslo's question, heat pipes can push a lot more than 5 Mw/m^2 if they contain a suitable fluid. It's not a new idea.
2006-07-15 05:21:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally know someone that has developed the ability to transmit heat at the rate of 5 Megawatts per square meter through a pipe, not a fiber optic cable. I am betting that few folks out there can even come close to this. If you can, I would love to hear from you.
2006-07-12 20:15:46 · answer #3 · answered by sleeplessinslo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fiber optic lines are used for communication, not for power transfer.
If they were to be used for power transfer, fiber optics would be incredibly inefficient. When you transform electrical power to optical power by way of lasers or LEDs, a good deal of that power is wasted. Then when you transform that optical power back to electrical power by way of photodiodes, more power is wasted.
So unless someone can come up with a very efficient way of converting electrical power to optical power and back, we won't be seeing any fiber optic lines anytime soon.
2006-07-04 09:38:54 · answer #4 · answered by hobo joe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is unlimited amount of power in the nucleus of an atom. Since light is transmitted ( and data is stored on the light beams)
the power transmitted is unlimited, as long as the transmission commences.
2006-07-04 16:45:15 · answer #5 · answered by Axiom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
fiber optics transfer light only. they are used only in the communications industy because of the speed in which light moves. the only other thing that cound possibly be sent via fiber optics is the heat transferred from the light.
2006-07-17 05:23:19 · answer #6 · answered by BIG DADDY 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
42
2006-07-18 05:53:46 · answer #7 · answered by Orinoco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1000
2006-07-04 09:32:41 · answer #8 · answered by SEAN J 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋