Exploring Light Transmission with Lasers & Optical Fibers

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the use of laser beams versus white light sources in optical fibers, focusing on the technical aspects of light transmission, coupling methods, and the types of optical fibers available. It includes considerations of information transmission and the efficiency of different light sources.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that lasers are preferred for optical fibers due to their monochromatic nature.
  • Others point out that various light sources, including halogen lights and Mercury arc lamps, can be coupled into fibers, depending on the type of fiber used.
  • One participant notes the existence of different fiber types, such as single-mode and multimode fibers, which affect how light propagates.
  • There are technical challenges in coupling light into fibers, but it is suggested that nearly any light source can be coupled to any fiber, with the actual propagation depending on the fiber type.
  • Another participant emphasizes that while any light can propagate through an optical fiber, a modulated source is necessary for information transfer, with coherent sources being more controllable for high-speed digital transfer.
  • It is mentioned that coupling efficiency is generally better with laser sources compared to other types of light sources.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of using lasers versus other light sources for optical fibers, indicating that there is no consensus on the best approach for all scenarios.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on specific fiber types and the conditions under which different light sources can be effectively coupled. The discussion does not resolve the technical challenges associated with coupling various light sources into optical fibers.

chickenlittle
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Why is it that we are able to use a laser beam with optical fiber but not with a white light source?
 
Science news on Phys.org
We need lights with monowavelength
 
I'm not sure what you mean- I couple a halogen light and a Mercury arc lamp into a fiber on my microscope.

There are many kinds of fibers- single mode, multimode, light guides, bandgap, polarization-maintaining, etc. etc. etc.

A single-mode fiber is what most people associate with "optical fiber", and single-mode means a single transverse mode, which restricts the waveband. Multimode fibers can support a much broader waveband range, light guides (what I use with the halogen bulb/arc lamp) are not much more than "light pipes", and photonic bandgap fiber is really cool.

There's some technical issues with how to couple the light into a fiber, but it's sort of possible to couple nearly any source to any fiber- what light actually propogates down the fiber will depend on the fiber.
 
Thank you pixel01 and Andy Resnick. I understand better now :)
 
Welcome to PF, Chickenlittle.
I have to assume here that you're referring to information transmission. Any kind of light will propagate through an optical fibre, as you can easily see by looking at a fibre optic lamp. A modulated source is needed for any sort of information transfer. You can transmit Morse code just by turning a light bulb on and off. For the complexity of high-speed digital transfer, a coherent source is more readily controllable and more accurate.
 
It is also much easier to couple light into a fibre (with efficiency) using a laser source that it is with using other types of sources.

Claude.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Light coupling in fiber optic cables
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
4K
Undergrad Digital Micromirror Device based optical setup
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
High School Multimode optical fiber, physics beginner help :D
  • · Replies 37 ·
2
Replies
37
Views
5K
Undergrad Light coupling from optical fiber to glass?
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
4K
Undergrad Help Needed for Lens Selection for Fiber optics
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Light Transmission Through Half-Hollow Sphere
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad Photodetector Output & Refractive Index of FO Cladding/Coating
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad How Can I Expand and Collimate a Laser Pointer Beam Using Basic Optics?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad Laser and nano-holes experiment
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Undergrad Single-mode vs multi-mode fiber coupling
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
11K