The Physics Classroom
Fiber Optics
A fiber optic novelty item shines brightly in the darkness of a room. Each tiny speck of colored light is the result of light exiting at the end of the fiber. The collection of fibers from which the light is exiting is bundled together at one end where the light enters. Each fiber takes on a parabolic curve. Light entering the fibers undergoes total internal reflection (TIR) until it exits the fibers at the end.
For more information about the physics of total internal reflection, visit The Physics Classroom Tutorial - www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/refrn/index.cfm.
Fiber Optics
A fiber optic novelty item shines brightly in the darkness of a room. Each tiny speck of colored light is the result of light exiting at the end of the fiber. The collection of fibers from which the light is exiting is bundled together at one end where the light enters. Each fiber takes on a parabolic curve. Light entering the fibers undergoes total internal reflection (TIR) until it exits the fibers at the end.
For more information about the physics of total internal reflection, visit The Physics Classroom Tutorial - www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/refrn/index.cfm.