1.Bandwidth

An optical fiber provides more bandwidth as compared to a copper wire and has a standardized performance up to 10 Gbps and beyond, something that it is impossible to achieve with a copper wire. A higher bandwidth means that the fiber can carry more information with far greater efficiency than a copper wire.

2.Range of transmission

Data travel in the form of light through a fiber optic cable. The loss of quality of signal is almost negligible in the case of total internal reflections within the glass fiber, and hence, very little signal loss occurs during transmission. Data can, thus, move at higher speeds and for greater distances.

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*Structured Light Fields in Optical Fibers DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.85958*

3.Not susceptible to interference

*Optic fiber is much lighter and thinner compared to the conventional copper cable.*

of the signal reaches the router in most cases.

distortions and hard to damage or kink (**Figure 8**).

4.Size, weight, and strength

5.Cost

**Figure 8.**

6.Durability

Data transmitted through a fiber-optic cable is much less susceptible to noise. It is also less susceptible to electromagnetic interference as compared to one moving through a copper wire. For example, there would be almost zero degree of quality degradation in a signal through a fiber optic cable, say even for a distance of over two kilometers, while a signal transmitted through a copper wire would experience a great deal of degradation in quality. It is, therefore, so efficient that roughly 99.6%

A copper cable is bulky and heavy as compared to a fiber optic cable that is much

The initial cost of material and installation of an optical fiber is high as compared to a copper wire, but in the long run, the working cost is much less. Moreover, a fiber network has a low maintenance cost and requires very few networking hardware.

Fiber optic cable is highly resistant to many environmental factors that, otherwise, affect a copper cable network. No electric current can flow through the former as the core is made up of glass which is a perfect insulator. Fiber cables can be made to run next to any industrial equipment too. An optical fiber is also more resistant to temperature fluctuations as compared to copper and can also be submerged in water. As discussed, optical fibers can communicate data through transmission of waves based on the phenomenon of total internal reflection. The theoretical band-

Bandwidth can be enhanced by employing two techniques. The first one is known as the time division multiplexing (TDM). Multiple channels are transmitted

width of optical fiber transmission is of the order of few terabits.

lighter and thinner. It can be used very efficiently in underground pipes that are confined to the ground and are also much stronger, with eight times the pulling tension of a copper wire. It is also tough against environmental factors and atmospheric *Structured Light Fields in Optical Fibers DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.85958*

#### **Figure 8.**

*Fiber Optics - From Fundamentals to Industrial Applications*

other than 90°. This is called refraction. The two layers of plastic form the two

Beyond a certain angle, called the critical angle, all the waves reflect back into the glass. We say that they are totally internally reflected. The light rays stay inside the optic fiber and are transmitted over long distances with negligible loss

The following properties make fiber optic cable superior to conventional copper

An optical fiber provides more bandwidth as compared to a copper wire and has a standardized performance up to 10 Gbps and beyond, something that it is impossible to achieve with a copper wire. A higher bandwidth means that the fiber can

Data travel in the form of light through a fiber optic cable. The loss of quality of signal is almost negligible in the case of total internal reflections within the glass fiber, and hence, very little signal loss occurs during transmission. Data can, thus,

carry more information with far greater efficiency than a copper wire.

mediums on which the reflections occur (**Figure 6**).

*Light rays undergo total internal reflection inside an optic fiber that is bent.*

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(**Figure 7**).

**Figure 7.**

**Figure 6.**

*Total internal reflection in an optical fiber.*

cables.

**3.4 Benefits of fiber optics**

2.Range of transmission

move at higher speeds and for greater distances.

1.Bandwidth

*Optic fiber is much lighter and thinner compared to the conventional copper cable.*
