How Fiber Optics are Made

Craft & Design Science
How Fiber Optics are Made

FiberopticsExcellent video on how fiber optics are made – “…”At the Speed of Light” is inspirational on any number of levels. It describes what Corning calls “the union of glass and light”. Developed in the 70’s by a trio of scientists — Drs. Keck, Maurer and Schultz — who went on to win the National Medal of Technology for their efforts, it is truly remarkable. They are making fibers thinner than a human hair. The single mode fiber is a mere 8 microns thick. One micron is one-millionth of a meter.” Link.

10 thoughts on “How Fiber Optics are Made

  1. ereuter says:

    Actually, optical fibers are not 8 microns thick. The core of single mode fibers (for example, Corning SMF-28) is about 8 microns in diameter, but it is not a separate solid part — the core is just the center (“core”) part of the glass fiber that has a little bit of impurities doped into it to increase the refractive index.

    The diameter of the glass (core+cladding) of a common single mode fiber (SMF-28) is about 125 microns. They are usually coated with acrylic (for protection) that brings the diameter up to about 250 microns.

  2. grin-optics.org says:

    GRIN, Gradient-index elements are elements with great correction possibilites. And our sientific gruop work in this field more then 20 years. But production of such elements with large diameter is not stable now. So, we waiting for new element base for our objectives.

  3. Chuck norris says:

    Every year for chuck norris’s birthday he choses one lucky kid too throw into the sun

  4. chuck norris entusiest says:

    Ha Ha Ha yeah thet is cool and also did you know that someone once told chuck norris that the round house kick wasnt the best way too kick someone historians belive this was the worst mistake anyone has ever made

  5. A. Arnold says:

    I am a librarian, where can I find this video that “At the speed of Light” that was earlier discussed. I need it for an Electronics instructor. Thank you in advance for any assistance.

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