What ar optical fibers ? What are their advatages over ordinary glass like that of window panes ?

Explanation

### Step-by-Step Text Solution:

**Step 1: Definition of Optical Fibers**
Optical fibers are thin strands of glass or plastic that are designed to transmit light signals. They are created by drawing glass into very fine fibers, which are significantly thinner than a human hair. Despite their thinness, optical fibers possess high mechanical strength, making them durable and effective for transmitting light.

**Step 2: Advantages of Optical Fibers over Ordinary Glass**
1. **Light Transmission Distance**: Ordinary glass, such as that used in window panes, can only transmit light effectively over short distances (typically less than 1 meter). In contrast, optical fibers can transmit light signals over long distances, often kilometers, without significant loss of intensity.

2. **Signal Integrity**: Optical fibers maintain the quality of the transmitted signals over long distances. There is minimal attenuation (loss of signal strength), which means that the light signal remains strong and clear even after traveling great distances.

3. **Space Efficiency**: Optical fibers are much thinner and lighter than ordinary glass, allowing for more efficient use of space. This makes them ideal for applications where space is a constraint, such as in telecommunications and networking.

4. **Applications**: Due to their ability to transmit data over long distances with high fidelity, optical fibers are widely used in telecommunications, internet services, and medical instruments, among other applications.