Plastic Fiber Optics

A glass or plastic fiber that diffuses light along its path is fiber optics. Light is stored in the core of the optical fiber by total internal reflection. This causes the fiber to act as a waveguide. Fiber Optics is used as light guides to conduct the stream of light source to a point of use. These guides brighten parts that are too small or too harmful to fix a light bulb. The plastic light guide and the glass light guide are the two sorts of light guides.

The general common term for a wide range of synthethic or semi synthetic organic amorphous solid materials, plastic is used in the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of molecular mass, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or to reduce costs. There are different types of plastics for different uses: cellulose-based plastics, backelite, polystyrene and PVC polystyrene, nylon, and rubber plastics. These are used for molding, plastic models, plumbing, gutters, house siding, enclosures for computers and other electronic gear, among others.

In fiber optis technology, plastic is used as plastic light guides. Fiber optic light guides consist of non-coherent bundles of optical fibers. The fibers at each end of the bundle are tightly compressed, cut perpendicular to the axis of the fibers, and polished to permit light to pass into and out of the bundle. They have a bendable outer cover and a light-conducting core. So that that the ends of the fibers spread out distinctly to lighten different points from a single light source, multi-leg devices are rip along the length of the light guide. Although flexible glass fiber optics is more flexible than plastic fiber optics, the latter is more suitable for the transmission of light in the visible and near-infrared range. Furthermore, plastic light guides have hardly any luminous loss over distance and are better suited for UV light transmission.

Choosing what guides to use requires a careful study of physical and performance specifications. Physical specifications refer to length, diameter, and termination method. Keep in mind that some light guides are terminated with a threaded or unthreaded ferrule, a tube-like mechanical fixture that confines the stripped end of a fiber bundle while others are unterminated devices. However, performance specifications refer to wavelength, acceptance angle, bend angle, and numerical aperture.

Acceptance angle is the maximum angle measured from the axis within which light is accepted or given out by the light guide and transmitted along its length, and the bend radius is the smallest bend that fibers can bear prior to fracture. Numerical aperture refers to the calculated, optical value that indicated a device's ability to collect light over a range of input angles.

When you have decided which light you need, go to a trusted provider of fiber optics and related devices to ensure that your product, be it fiber optic cables or transceiver modules, pass industry standard qualifications.