ADVANCES IN FIBER OPTICS: FIBER APPLICATIONS MOVE INTO THE MAINSTREAM

摘要

Higher performance fiber optic systems have been developed in the past 15 years. They are the result of significant advances in light source, fiber and delivery optics technology. The systems are driven by a new generation of light sources which combine efficacy, brightness and long life. They utilize new low cost, low loss, large core fibers to distribute light. Novel optical techniques have been devised both for efficient splitting as well as efficient delivery of the light to a task. In short, fiber optic systems have been developed which realize Wheeler's original vision. With the application of a new generation of electrodeless lamps together with fibers that are an order of magnitude more efficient that those in use now, they will go well beyond it.