If infrared light is used, what region of the spectrum does fiber optics reside in?

If infrared light is used, what region of the spectrum does fiber optics reside in?

• A. Ultraviolet
• B. Infrared
• C. Visible
• D. Microwave

Answer: (B)

Fiber optics operates in the infrared portion of the spectrum. Silica glass is most transparent in the near-infrared around 1.3 to 1.55 micrometers, which are the standard windows for fiber communication because they offer the lowest attenuation and manageable dispersion. Ultraviolet light is largely absorbed by the glass and doesn’t travel far, while visible light suffers more scattering and losses in fiber. Microwaves are too long to be guided efficiently in the small-core fiber, so they aren’t used for typical fiber optics. So, when infrared light is used, the region you’re in is the infrared.

Fiber optics operates in the infrared portion of the spectrum. Silica glass is most transparent in the near-infrared around 1.3 to 1.55 micrometers, which are the standard windows for fiber communication because they offer the lowest attenuation and manageable dispersion. Ultraviolet light is largely absorbed by the glass and doesn’t travel far, while visible light suffers more scattering and losses in fiber. Microwaves are too long to be guided efficiently in the small-core fiber, so they aren’t used for typical fiber optics. So, when infrared light is used, the region you’re in is the infrared.