OPTICAL FIBRE CABLE
An optical fibre cable consists of a glass core that is completely surrounded by glass cladding (Fig. 41.4). The core performs the function of transmitting the light waves, while the purpose of the cladding is to minimise surface losses and to guide the light waves. The glass used for both the core and the cladding must be of very high purity since any impurities present will cause some scattering of light to occur. Two types of glass are commonly employed : silica-based glass (silica with some added oxide) and multi component glass (e.g. sodium borosilicate).
Some new optic fibres do not use glass at all, but special types of plastic; these are usually cheaper to make than very pure glass but introduce greater attenuation. ...
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