Definition of optical fibre

The term "optical fiber" originally stemmed from the concept of transmitting light through a flexible, transparent medium to carry information. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, scientists explored the idea of using glass fibers as a means of transmitting signals over long distances. These early experiments, which involved passing light through water-filled capillaries and glass tubes, were successful in demonstrating the feasibility of long-distance optical communication. In 1966, Charles K. Kao, a British physicist, delivered a groundbreaking paper proposing that ultrapure silica glass fibers could be used to transmit light. The concept was further developed by American engineers like Robert D. Maurer, who is commonly referred to as the "father of optical fiber communications." They realized that optical fibers could replace traditional copper cables for long-haul communication, as they offer several advantages, including faster data transfer rates, greater bandwidth, and less signal degradation over long distances. To make fiber-optic communication viable, a host of technological innovations were required, such as the development of precise methods for drawing the glass fibers into still-smaller sizes, for incorporating signals into the fiber, and for managing the many technical issues involved in transmitting signals through numerous twists, turns, and bends. Today, the term "optical fiber" is widely used to refer to these flexible, transparent glass or plastic fibers, which transmit light signals by total internal reflection. These fibers are used in various applications, such as telecommunication, medical imaging, and even measuring distances more accurately in astronomy. The term has thus become an integral part of modern technology and has transformed the way we communicate, make medical diagnoses, and carry out scientific research.