ABSTRACT
This topic area embraces two important and overlapping subjects: the use of optical frequency carriers for the transmission of information and the use of transparent optical fibers for this and other purposes. This entry briefly describes the materials used to make optical fibers, the different types of fiber that are available, and the causes of attenuation and dispersion of light propagating through them. The basic characteristics of free space and guided optical communication systems are outlined and various effects that limit their information capacity and transmission distance are discussed.
