Text 1. Fiber Optics

1. Выучите следующие слова и выражения:

be subject (to) ['sʌbʤɪktˌtuː] - быть подверженным (чему-л)

reflection [rɪ'flekʃ(ə)n] -отражение

boundary ['baund(ə)rɪ] - граница

eliminate [ɪ'lɪmɪneɪt ], [ə-] - устранять, исключать

cladding ['klædɪŋ] - оболочка

layer ['leɪə] - слой

bundle ['bʌndl] - пучок

multi-mode fiber - многомодовый волоконно-оптический кабель

single-mode fiber - одномодовоеоптоволокно

core [kɔː] - стержень, сердечник

coating - оболочка

covering - покрытие; внешняя оболочка

2. Прочитайте и устно переведите текст:

Fiber optics (or “optical fibre”) refers to the medium and the technology associated with the transmission of information as light impulses along a strand of glass or plastic. A fiber-optic strand carries much more information than a conventional copper wire and is far less subject to electromagnetic interference (EMI). Optical fibers of very pure glass are able to carry light over long distances ranging from a few inches or centimeters to more than 100 miles (160 km) with little dimming, owing to it they can be used to illuminate and observe hard-to-reach places.

Fiber optics is based on the optical phenomenon known as total internal reflection. With the simplest form of optical fiber, light entering one end of the fiber strikes the boundary of the fiber and is reflected inward. The light travels through the fiber in a succession of zigzag reflections until it exits from the other end of the fiber. Other forms of optical fibers are designed in such a way that the zigzagging of the light is greatly reduced or virtually eliminated.

The fiber optic strand is constructed in several layers. Most optical fibers made today consist of at least two parts: a core through which the light is transmitted and a protective coating – called cladding (either glass or plastic) - that surrounds the core and helps prevent light from leaking from the core. The cladding bends or reflects inward the light rays that strike its inside surface. The core, coating and covering are collectively referred to as a “strand”. Fiber strand sizes are always referred to in terms of the diameter of the core. Some individual fibers are thinner than human hair and measure less than 0.00015 inch (0.004 mm) in diameter. A detector, such as a photosensitive device or the human eye, receives the light at the other end of the fiber.