What Are Everyday Uses For Fiber Optics?

What Are Everyday Uses For Fiber Optics?

We know that fiber optics are tiny strands (approximately the width of a single strand of hair) of optical material that can be used to direct light either short or great distances away. These tiny optical strands use light to transmit data (at the speed of light c=3.00x10^(8) [m/s]=6.71x10^(8) [mph]) to various sensors that detect the light and then record the information carried. Many fields use fiber optics in our world today, and these range from the medical fields to telecommunication purposes and to even signals from broadcasting cable companies. Our world is full of fiber optics! 

The uses in the medical field can range from using fiber optics as a light guide, which is called an endoscope (literally meaning "inside observation"), into the human body. The endoscope has two primary functions to view the inside of the human body. The inner portion of the fiber optic strands is used to collect visual data (by ways of coherent light) and then transmit it back to a screen visible in the doctor's office while the outer portion of the fiber optic strands is used to project light (by ways of incoherent light) inside the cavity to make viewing a lot easier. 

There are also fiber optics used in seismic and SONAR equipment which is carried in various vehicles. In seismic studies, a piece of equipment called the Ultra-High Sensitivity fiber-optic based sensor array is used to gather measurements of carbon capture and CCS monitoring (aka sequestration monitoring). CCS is a type of technology that allows for the capture of CO2 within our atmosphere (produced by power plants and other industrial outputs) and then transfers the CO2 deep into subsurface geological structures to help combat global warming. Then there is FOSS (Fiber-Optic Sonar System) which also uses fiber optics.

Telecommunication, networking, and broadcasting techniques also require fiber optics to help transmit various amounts of data within seconds. Every time you get on the internet, you rely on fiber optics to bring the data to your screen. Every time you turn on the TV, you rely on fiber optics to bring up the broadcasting signals. Every time you pick up your landline (granted many people do not really have a landline anymore and just use cell phones), you use fiber optics to transmit your voice to your buddy on the other side. We use fiber optics all the time now, and really do not even notice how important they are in our life. Some high-tech cameras uses fiber optics to help direct light to a specific storage unit. Even modern day cars use fiber optics in the wiring of the engine to help indicate problems early on. Thousands of research equipment use fiber optics for data storage. 

If you want to know more check out these sites that give a more scientific approach towards the working of fiber optics.

Thank you for watching and hope to help you。