Photonics Dictionary

A package for an optical fiber or fibers that may include cladding, buffering, strength members and an outer jacket.

A fiber optic cable assembly refers to a complete unit consisting of optical fibers, connectors, protective jackets, and other components that are assembled together to facilitate the transmission of...

Fiber optic cable in which the arrangement of fibers within the bundle has been made random so that output light will be uniformly distributed and not relay the image of the light source at the input...

A fiber optic transceiver, often simply referred to as an "optical transceiver," is a device used in fiber optic communications to transmit and receive data over optical fibers. It integrates both a...

A material that surrounds a fiber optic cable's buffer tubes to prevent moisture from entering if the jacket is breached.

E.I. duPont's trade name for a material used in the jacket of fiber optic cables. It is flame-retardant, thermally stable and resistant to oxidation, ozone and radiation.

A thermosetting material used in the jacket of fiber optic cables.

E.I. duPont's trade name for an aramid yarn used as a strength member in the jacket of fiber optic cable.

Pennwalt's trade name for polyvinylidene fluoride, a material used in the jacket of fiber optic cables where low smoke emission is deemed more important than flexibility.

Laser surgery refers to a medical procedure in which a laser, or focused beam of light, is used as a precision tool to cut, vaporize, coagulate, or otherwise modify tissues for therapeutic or...

In a fiber optic cable, the longitudinal length required for the transmission media, wrapped around a central member, to complete one helical wrap. Also called pitch.

Older fiber optic cable that may not be suitable for state-of-the-art applications and that is difficult for suppliers to sell.

In fiber optic cable, containment of the fiber or fibers within an outer protective tube in which they can move to some extent. The interstices usually are filled with an insulating material. See...

Fiber optic cable bearing many fibers independently sheathed and capable of carrying unrelated signals. They often surround a central strength member, and can be either loose- or tight-buffered. One...

The combination of two or more signals for transmission along a single wire, path or carrier. In most optical communication systems this is referred to as wavelength division multiplexing, in which...

A type of thermoset rubber used to jacket fiber optic cables, including those used in outdoor military installations.

A material used to jacket fiber optic cables. It is chemical- and moisture-resistant, but not fire-resistant.

Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a method of secure communication that utilizes principles from quantum mechanics to establish a shared secret key between two parties, typically referred to as Alice...

Fiber optic cable that operates at the 1300-nm wavelength.

A type of fiber optic cable that emits light from its sides along its length.

A type of sheathing for fiber optic cable that incorporates a coil of metal; often used in harsh environments.

A material used in the jacket of fiber optic cables.

A device that enables visual tracing of a fiber optic cable to check for breaks and defects by coupling visible light into the cable. Also called fiber tracer.

A highly flame-retardant material used to jacket fiber optic cables, especially on shipboard applications.