Total Internal Reflection Confusion

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of total internal reflection in optical fibers, particularly focusing on the critical angle and its implications for signal transmission. Participants explore the relationship between the angles of incidence and the critical angle in the context of fiber optics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about total internal reflection, questioning how signals can be transmitted if some angles appear smaller than the critical angle.
  • Another participant suggests that the critical angle is variable and can differ based on the materials used in optical fibers.
  • A subsequent reply seeks clarification on whether the materials of fiber optic cables have a smaller critical angle.
  • Another participant notes the physical limitations of fiber diameter and its effect on bending, emphasizing that the critical angle is dependent on the materials used.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus, as there are multiple interpretations of the critical angle and its application in fiber optics. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of how angles relate to total internal reflection in this context.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in understanding due to the lack of clarity on the participant's drawings and assumptions about the critical angle as a constant versus a variable.

ferrarilover2000
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Hi,
I'm new here...
I already read about how the signals are transmited through the fibre optical cables... total internal reflection

But what I don't understand is the another day I was scribbling it on a piece of paper (the total internal reflection that is)... I noticed that from the way I drew it, some had very small angles and it doesn't look like it's bigger than the criticle angle...

If that is so than the signals would have stopped right there and couldn't be transmited anymore... :confused:

Oh Me God please someone... save me! :rolleyes:


Thanx :-p
 
Science news on Phys.org
It seems to me that you think of the critical angle as some sort of constant.

Let me just say that the critical angle is a variable and therefore is able to differ. Optical cables are structured so that even small angles are internally reflected.
 
Hmmm...
Thanks for the reply recon...

So you are saying that the material for the fibre optical cables have a smaller critical angle?



Thanx :D
 
I'm, not sure I understand how your scribbles looked. Remember that fibers have a very thin diameter and that there's a limit to how much they will bend.

The critical angle depends on what materials you use to make the fiber.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Outer layer refractive index - total internal refection on waveguide
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Graduate What's the amount of energy lost in Total Internal Reflection?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad How does Total Internal Reflection in a mm/sm fiber work?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad Energy Loss During Total Internal Reflection
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K
Graduate Multiple reflections and transmissions of light inside a cube
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Graduate Total internal reflection for a long time
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
High School Can light escape the medium when total internal reflection occurs?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
High School Is it Total internal reflection, or something else?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad Total Internal Reflection a doubt?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Undergrad EM wave reflected or transmitted?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K