Applications of optical fiber system

Applications

1.Optical Fiber Communication:

Optical carriers are in the region of 10 ¹³

^{Hz to}  10 ¹⁶

^Hz

^{i.e.,three to six orders of magnitude higher than microwave frequencies, and also modern technology permits fabrication of fibers that have better loss characteristics than coaxial cables(fibers that have been fabricated with losses as small as 0.2 dB/km).In addition to the potential bandwidth,optical  fiber communication offers a number of benefits.So optical fiber is commonly used in fiber optics communication,which permits digital data transmission over long distances and at a higher data rates than electronic communication.}

^{2.Optical Fiber Sensors:}

^{Optical fibers can be used as sensors to measure strain,pressure,temperature  and other physical parameters.The small size and the fact that no electrical power is required at the remote location gives the fiber optic sensors advantages to conventional electrical sensors in certain application. Optical fibers are employed as hydrophones for seismic or SONAR applications.Hydrophone system with more than 100 sensors per fiber cable have been developed.These are mostly employed in oil industry and navies.}

^{optical fiber sensors for measurement of temperature and pressure have been developed for downhole measurements in oil wells.The fiber optics sensor is well suited for semiconductor sensors.}

^{Optical gyroscope using optical fiber has been developed and widely used for navigation purpose in aeroplanes.}

^{Other applications of optical fibers are as light guides in medical and other application where bright light needs to be shined on a target without a clear line-of-sight path.optical fiber illumination is also used for decoration purposes.}