Optical fibers are used in applications from lasers to telephone wires to holida

Question

Optical fibers are used in applications from lasers to telephone wires to holiday decorations. These fibers use total internal reflection to keep the light ray trapped in a tube of glass at the center of the optical cable. The glass at the core is surrounded by a second glass called a cladding, then by a series of coatings and jackets to protect the glass from chemical or mechanical rigors. In order for total internal reflection to occur, light must be directed from a medium of higher refractive index towards a medium of lower refractive index (i. e. n1 > n2) and the light must intersect the boundary at an angle equal to or greater than the critical angle theta_c. This value of theta_c is determined by Snell's Law when the refracted angle is 90degree: sin(theta_c) = n_2/n_1. Assuming the index of refraction of the glass and cladding for a typical fiber optic cable are 1. 64 and 1. 50 respectfully, what is the critical angle which will result in total internal reflection?

Explanation / Answer

as we know the critical angle has to be

sin(theta c ) = n2/n1

theta = 66.15 degree

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