You are now entering the PC Anatomy portal

A fiber optic cable is a network cable that uses thin strands of glass or plastic to transmit data as pulses of light, allowing for high-speed, long-distance data communication. It is used in telecommunications, internet connections, and large networks because it offers higher bandwidth, lower latency, and is more resistant to interference than traditional copper cables. The data travels through the core by reflecting off the cladding through a process called total internal reflection.

How it works

Data transmission: Instead of electrical signals, fiber optic cables use pulses of light to send data.

Structure: The cable contains many tiny, pure glass or plastic fibers, each thinner than a human hair.

Internal reflection: Light signals travel down the fiber's core by bouncing off the surrounding cladding in a process called total internal reflection, which keeps the light from escaping.