Fiber Optics

Total internal reflection is very useful. Because of total internal reflection, light can bend around corners in a "light pipe" or "optical fiber" or "fiber optics".

Telephone companies (and our own University's computer network) use fiber optics.

Medical uses include endoscopes.

 

Total Internal Reflection

Dispersion and Spectra

Return to Ch 23, Reflection and Refraction of Light

(c) Doug Davis, 2002; all rights reserved