Fiber Optics are one application of total internal reflection.  Optical fibers are flexible, transparent fibers made from plastic or glass about the size of a human hair that can serve as a "light pipe" to transmit light from one location to another. The bundle of fibers is used in medical applications where doctors can see inside the body by attaching a small camera to one side of the cable. To make the project below, you can order this Fiber Optics kit.

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Materials:

• Fiber Optics kit.
• Soldering iron with solder
• Pliers
• Wire strippers
• Diagonal cutters
• Optional: "helping hands" stand (makes it easier to solder components to the board, but not required to build the project)

Lightwave communication over optical fiber networks are used today everywhere in fiber optic communications. These transmit over long distances at higher bandwidths than metal cables and don't have problems with electromagnetic interference or losses typical with copper wiring.

Click here to go to next lesson on Interesting Refraction Phenomena

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