Fiber Optic Loop: How Long Before Photon Dissipation?

In summary, the amount of time a photon can stay inside a closed loop of fiber optics before dissipating depends on the purity of the glass and the amount of defects present. The less defects, the longer the photon will maintain its intensity. However, once the photon is absorbed, it cannot give up part of its energy. For a typical attenuation rate of 2dB per kilometre, it would take approximately 17km for the intensity to decrease to 1/1000th of its original value.
  • #1
Danyon
83
1
Imagine a closed loop of fiber optics, How long will a photon be able to stay inside the loop before dissipating all it's energy, or does it not dissipate?
 
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  • #2
Absorption of light in glass is not zero, it depends on how many defects in the glass. The less defects in the fiber, the more light will keep its intensity. As for a single photon, the probability of absorption similarly depends on the purity of the glass. Fibers carry light across oceans, and some lasers are created with fibers, so defects can be sufficiently reduced for a fiber to have many impressive applications.
 
  • #3
Danyon said:
Imagine a closed loop of fiber optics, How long will a photon be able to stay inside the loop before dissipating all it's energy, or does it not dissipate?

Greetings Danyon

a tiny fraction of a second before it is absorbed :smile:
 
  • #4
Note that a single photon cannot give up part of its energy. It's all or nothing.
 
  • #5
I believe a typical attenuation for a multimode fibre would be say 2dB per kilometre (factor of 1.5). So I think if you defined "dissipated" to be when the intensity is down to say 1/1000th (0.1%) of it's original value it would need to travel about 17km. You can work out how long it would take to travel 17km.

Oops I was in a rush. Might be slightly out in my numbers.
 

1. How is a fiber optic loop formed?

A fiber optic loop is formed by connecting two ends of a single strand of fiber optic cable together, creating a closed loop.

2. What is photon dissipation?

Photon dissipation is the process by which photons, or particles of light, lose their energy and eventually cease to exist. In fiber optic loops, this can occur due to factors such as impurities in the fiber, bends in the cable, and other external influences.

3. How long does it take for photons to dissipate in a fiber optic loop?

The amount of time it takes for photons to dissipate in a fiber optic loop can vary depending on the quality and length of the fiber, as well as any external factors that may affect the light transmission. Generally, photons can travel for several kilometers before dissipating.

4. What is the impact of photon dissipation on data transmission?

Photon dissipation can cause signal loss in fiber optic loops, which can result in slower data transmission and potential errors in the data being transmitted. This is why it is important to monitor and maintain the quality of fiber optic loops to minimize the impact of photon dissipation.

5. How can photon dissipation be prevented?

Photon dissipation can be prevented by using high-quality fiber optic cables with minimal impurities and ensuring that the cables are properly installed and maintained. It is also important to use the correct type of fiber optic cable for the specific application to minimize the risk of photon dissipation.

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