Optical fiber is composed of three elements – the core, the cladding and the coating. The core is at the center of the optical fiber and provides a pathway for light to travel. Understanding its internal structure is essential to appreciate how it functions efficiently in various applications, from telecommunications to medical devices. These are chromatic. Every time you make a video call, stream a movie or send an email, you are relying on hair‑thin strands of glass to carry that information across continents and oceans. These strands, known as fibre optic cables, have revolutionised telecommunications because they transmit information using pulses. This article is part of our Basics of Fiber Series.
[PDF Version]