Light traveling through fiber optic cables does not directly turn into electric current. Instead, the light carries information that is then converted back into electrical signals at the receiving end. Here's how it works:
Light Transmission in Fiber Optic Cables
- Light pulses: Fiber optic cables transmit information as pulses of light. These pulses are generated by a laser or LED at the sending end.
- Total internal reflection: The light travels through the core of the fiber optic cable, bouncing off the cladding surrounding it. This is called total internal reflection, which allows the light to travel long distances without significant loss.
Conversion to Electrical Signals
- Photodetector: At the receiving end, a photodetector converts the light pulses back into electrical signals.
- Light-to-electricity: The photodetector is a semiconductor device that generates a small electrical current when light hits it. The strength of this current corresponds to the intensity of the light pulses.
- Decoding: The electrical signal is then decoded to retrieve the original information.
Example
Imagine you are sending a message through a fiber optic cable. The message is first converted into a series of light pulses. These pulses travel through the fiber optic cable and reach the receiver. The photodetector converts the light pulses into electrical signals, which are then decoded to recover the original message.
In summary, fiber optic cables transmit information as light pulses, which are then converted back into electrical signals at the receiving end using a photodetector. This process allows for fast and efficient communication over long distances.
