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Physics Online
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Waves - optical fibres
This video recaps on the idea that light sent along an optical fibre requires total internal reflection for it to progress along its length. It explains that information is sent as a series of on – off signals. However, if light rays take different paths they can be modally dispersed, and this can degrade the information. As long as the signal is digital a filter can rectify this and return the dispersed signal back to the original.
Alternatively, a monomode optical fibre system can be used (a very thin fibre within a thicker fibre). This reduces the chances for rays of light to take different paths and so become modally dispersed.
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