2006-10-06 04:37:07 · 6 answers · asked by Subodh D 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
When light traveling in a medium encounters a boundary with another medium of lower index of refract, and the angle of incidence is below a critical threshold, one gets total internal reflection. The electromagnetic field of the light, however, does penetrate the lower index medium but exponentially decays therein. This is called the evanescent wave and does not propagate beyond this surface layer. Since air has a lower index than anything you could coat the core with, one does not absolutely require a cladding for a fiber optic to contain the light. You can, therefore, make your own fiber optics by stretching a molten glass rod into a fiber for a school project if you want to. However, if the surface gets contaminated with a high index or absorbing medium (like oil or dirt), it will interfere with the evanescent wave and cause light loss. Or, if the surface is scratched, light will scatter from it out of the core.
2006-10-06 06:50:19 · answer #1 · answered by Dr. R 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Fiber Optic Cladding
2016-11-07 09:29:48 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cladding part surrounds the core. Its function is to reflect light back to the core because it has a low refractive index. The diameter ranges between 125 –140 microns. In case light was traveling without the cladding layer, light will be able to leak out the optical fiber.
2006-10-06 04:57:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
It is used to reflect light, and it also provides strength to fiber optic cables.
2006-10-06 06:49:33 · answer #4 · answered by sam 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
to protect the surface, the light bounces off the surface as it travels along the fiber. if it gets scratched the light leaks out the scratch.
2006-10-06 04:48:06 · answer #5 · answered by jekin 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So that the light won't escape and will be deflected in zig-zag motion to the destination.
2006-10-07 01:55:30 · answer #6 · answered by Mathew C 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋