Specialty Optical Fibers Handbook

1.3 CONCLUSIONS

Optical fibers have evolved from being simply a common transport waveguide

for communication applications, to become vital optical components within

optical amplifiers, chromatic dispersion compensators, polarizers, sensors, and

numerous other devices. A substantial portion of the specialty fiber business

comes from fast-growing military/aerospace applications—such as fiber optic

gyroscopes, fiber-guided/tethered missiles, and submarine hydrophones, to name

a few—as well as oil and gas applications.

The specialty optical fiber market grew from a boutique business in the 1990s

to an impressive $239 million market in 2000. Continued dynamic ...