Strands of hair-thin glass through which light transmits telecommunications signals. Fiber optics are replacing the trunk cables that are used to connect telephone areas. Each pair of copper wires within a trunk cable is only capable of carrying one conversation at a time. However, one strand of fiber-optic cable can carry thousands of simultaneous conversations.
the transmission of light signals via glass fibers
the latest technology for communications. Glass fiber instead of wire is installed to carry communications between two given points.
Thin, flexible instruments that transmit light and images, allowing structures inside of the body to be viewed
Thin transparent fibers of glass or plastic that are enclosed by material of a lower index of refraction and that transmit light throughout their length by internal reflections. Also, a bundle of such fibers used in an instrument.
uses a bundle of fine glass or plastic to carry pulses of light much the way an electric current is carried by a copper wire; but a fiberoptic cable can carry millions of times as much information as a copper wire.
(1) Thin, transparent fibers of glass or plastic that transmit light throughout their length via a series of internal reflections. The fibers are encased in material (referred to as "cladding") that possesses a lower index of refraction. (2) A bundle of these fibers.