Can Fiber Optic Cables Create Coherent Light Circuits?

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SUMMARY

Fiber optic cables cannot create coherent light circuits due to the inherent properties of light transmission through Total Internal Reflection (TIR). When light travels through multiple paths within the cable, it results in incoherence rather than the desired laser-like coherence. Additionally, light absorption over distance limits the effectiveness of looping cables, as significant light loss occurs before the light can return to its source. Therefore, both proposed outcomes—achieving laser coherence or generating a probabilistic output—are not feasible with this configuration.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Total Internal Reflection (TIR) in fiber optics
  • Knowledge of light coherence and its significance in optical systems
  • Familiarity with light absorption properties in materials
  • Basic principles of interference in wave physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of light coherence in laser technology
  • Explore advanced fiber optic design techniques to minimize light loss
  • Investigate the effects of light absorption in different fiber materials
  • Learn about wave interference patterns and their applications in optics
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Optical engineers, physicists, and anyone involved in the design and implementation of fiber optic systems will benefit from this discussion.

vin300
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By what we know, optic cable can guide waves by TIR. So what if it guides into itself, for instance, to keep it virtually flat and high angle reflection; I lay cable around the circumference of the planet and it loops back into itself with double entry: one guided and other newly introduced with my original light source, would that 1)create a similar effect as laser coherence thus enabling a means of high energy concentration or 2) create a purely probabilistic output of constructive and destructive interference thus limiting the power to a certain value of standard deviation after infinite cycles?
 
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vin300 said:
1)create a similar effect as laser coherence thus enabling a means of high energy concentration

Nope. The light would be incoherent due to the availability of multiple paths to take while in transit through the cable and dispersion.

vin300 said:
2) create a purely probabilistic output of constructive and destructive interference thus limiting the power to a certain value of standard deviation after infinite cycles?

Some amount of light is absorbed by the cable every unit of distance, so you're already limited to how long of a cable you can bend into a circle before you lose essentially all of the input light before it comes back around.
 

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