Optical fiber
OverviewUsesHistoryPrinciple of operationMechanisms of attenuationManufacturingPractical issuesSee also
Optical fiber is used as a medium for telecommunication and computer networking because it is flexible and can be bundled as cables. It is especially advantageous for long-distance communications, because infrared light propagates through the fiber with much lower attenuation compared to electricity in electrical cables. This allows long distances to be spanned with few repeaters.