Fiber optic lines are strands of optically pure glass that are as thin as human hair. They are arranged in bundles called optical cables. They carry light signals of digital information over long distances. Fiber optic cabling is used in telephone systems, cable TV systems and the Internet. It is also used in medical imaging and mechanical engineering inspection.
There are three main parts of a single optical fiber:
~Core -the thin glass center of the fiber where light travels
~Cladding – the optical material surrounding the core that reflects the light back into the core
~Buffer coating – the plastic coating that keeps the fiber away from damage and moisture