Photonics deals with how light is generated, how light is emitted from a source, how light is transmitted from one point to another, how light can be amplified or processed, how different types of sensors detect light, and how detected light signals can be used.
Many people are interested in photonics for reasons that at first seemed to have nothing in common. Some are looking for information on barcode scanning lasers, others on laser DVDs or Blu-ray players, or lasers used in eye surgery or cosmetics. Others are interested in Fiber optic component transmission or quantum computer technologies that are currently being developed. Photonics is also behind military applications such as mine detection sensors, a new generation of gyroscopes and various navigation devices.
Flex-enhanced fibers have been introduced
in some cable and hardware applications to significantly reduce the size of passive Fiber to Home (FTTH) field equipment (e.g., local convergence cabinets), making installations easier and more cost-effective. The next generation of FTTH implementations and carrier applications are for apartment buildings (MDUs) or even in-house wiring. Costs have always been a critical element in the business case for FTTH networks. Network operators quickly realized the value of pre-connected cable assembly solutions. Non-bending fibers are used with small housings such as (local convergence cabinets). These ‘splitter cabinets’ are approximately 40% lighter in weight and 75% smaller in size, which is aesthetically pleasing for the neighborhood.
One of the key design requirements for non-bending fibers
is backward compatibility with the installed low-water single-mode fiber base. This is important information for network installers and planners. Another important item is mechanical reliability with a small bending diameter of the fibers. In FTTk network installations that have very dense fiber ports in service terminals, as well as the nature of the indoor installation practice, the fiber bending plant is well below the 64 mm diameter limit
