The objective of the module is to present the basic characteristics of optical fibers that are important from the point of view of their applications in telecommunication and sensing. Characteristics such as attenuation, pulse dispersion, single-mode and multimode fibers, graded-index fibers, and zero-dispersion wavelength are covered.

When you finish this module, you will be able to

• Describe how light is guided through optical fibers.
  
  
• Differentiate between multimode and single-mode fibers.
  
  
• Calculate the numerical aperture (NA), intermodal dispersion, and material dispersion.
  
  
• Understand zero-dispersion wavelength and dispersion-shifted fibers.
  
  
• Know the importance of plastic optical fibers with regard to their application in communication.
  
  
• Describe how optical fibers can be used in sensing.