Are fiber optics similar to waveguides?

Question

Hey Scott:
thanks
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waveguide#Optical_waveguides

Answer 1

A fiber optic cable operates as a wave guide.
As do trasmission lines, but not the electrical
wires in your house.

Answer 2

Yes. I do not agree with the responder who claimed a difference between single-mode and multimode fibers. Microwave waveguides and optical fibers both work by reflecting the radiation from the walls, and in either case various modes are possible if the radiation is of high enough frequency. Single-mode fibers or waveguides are smaller so that only the lowest mode can propagate.

Answer 3

Uuuuhhhhh..... sort of. But fiber optics signal propagation is like shooting a beam of light through a pipe. In a waveguide, the size and the length of it plays a big role on how micowave energy is propagated through. Where as in fiber optics it doesn't matter. The smaller the line of a fiber optic it is, the more you can pack them in one bundle, therefore, propagated parrallel signals all at once. You can not do that with microwave. but since both of these are used as signal propagations, this where the similarity is. However, with a wave guide you are certainly limited with the length of it, meaning you ultimately loose your energy level. But with fiber optics it's like having cable or electricity lines hooking up to your house all across the country and yet you would not loose the signal unless the lines got damaged or something.

Answer 4

Yes, Fiber Optics are essentially waveguides at close to visual frequencies between IR and UV

Answer 5

Their relationship could be explained on a microphone and a speaker. You introduce into it and get it at the other end. waveguides into fiber optics in to results that desired.

Answer 6

Hi jacartamonkey

So now you have two answers - one yes and one no! :o) I'll see if I can clear it up for you.

Network grade optical fibre cable comes in two modes: single mode and multimode. The differences are:

Single mode:
Much finer
more expensive
signals can travel up to 2000km (or more) before a signal repeater is required

Multimode fibre:
Coarser
less expensive
signals can travel up to 2km before a signal repeater is required to boost the signal

Single mode fibre acts as a waveguide. The high grade fine fibre smoothly guides a light signal. In the coarser multi mode fibre you get pulses internally reflecting and "bouncing" their way down the fibre - this is obviously not a waveguide.


Hope this helps!
The Chicken

Answer 7

Fiber optic runs via a sort of glass fiber cable, so this is eliminate darkness from to the node, then this is switched over into sign over copper. In some countries they run fiber good to the shrink, then this is copper into the homestead. i've got faith many US cities will run fiber to the shrink interior the destiny via fact interior the long term it saves money, fiber lasts continuously, would not go through a similar shape obstacles as copper, and is worry-free to place in and shelter.

Answer 8

Yes, they are identical and obey identical equations.

Fibre optics are waveguides operating at optical frequencies.

Answer 9

no they aren't the same thing
go to wikipedia.com and look up waveguides then fiberoptics
they arent related

Answer 10

Light travels along the core of the OF depending on the type of optical fiber.In reflective type zigzag path and refractive type in continuous curves