FIBER OPTICS

After teaching a class of junior sailors about the importance of fiber optic cables inside a weapon system, I questioned several of them about what they knew of this type of media. All of my students said that they have heard of fiber optics (delete ,) and were able to explain that a fiber optic cable uses light to transmit information, but were not sure how this happened or how the cable functioned. They were specifically unaware of what a fiber optic cable is made of, what (delete are) the types are, and where are they used at. Fiber optics is in every facet of our culture semi-colon (delete ,) it is the main media of all telephone landlines, digital internet, and even our country’s weapon systems.

What makes up a fiber optic cable? A fiber optic cable is made of a hair thin piece of glass or plastic called the core. A material called the cladding traps the light inside the cable (delete ,) and allows (delete ing) light transmission down the length of cable via reflection. A thick polymer coating comma known as a buffer comma protects the glass. For strength, Kevlar (is this a name brand or term that needs to be defined?—either way—it needs detail) strands surround the cable. The jacket, also referred to as the outer shell, protects the entire cable from the elements. These components are what make up the composition of a basic fiber optic cable.

Fiber optic cables are broken down into three types. The first type called single mode fiber, allows for only a single path for light to travel down. The advantage (delete s) of a single mode fiber is distance (delete ,) and disadvantages are usually at a high cost. The second type comma called multimode fiber comma allows the light to travel through multiple paths. Multimode fibers cost less than single mode, but are for medium to short distances such as inside a building. The third type