Optical Fibre Carries Light by Bouncing It
A fibre is a thread-like strand. Optical fibres carry data as light, trapped inside the glass by total internal reflection.
A fiber is a thread or filament, whether in cloth, food or biology. Optical fibre works by a principle called total internal reflection: light entering the glass strand at a shallow enough angle cannot escape the sides, so it bounces along the whole length. That is why a fibre can carry data around a bend without losing the signal. The American spelling is *fiber*, the British *fibre* — one of the many *-er* and *-re* pairs.
- A thread or filament. *Natural fibres.*
- Dietary roughage. *High in fibre.*
- Optical fibre. *A fibre connection.*
- Fibrous — made of fibres. *Fibrous tissue.*
- Fibre (UK) — the British spelling. *Fibre optics.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun (US) | fiber | A single fiber. |
| Noun (UK) | fibre | A single fibre. |
| Plural | fibers | Loose fibers. |
| Adjective | fibrous | Fibrous roots. |
| Latin | fibra | A filament. |
- Wool is a natural fibre.Textiles.
- Beans are high in fibre.Nutrition.
- Light bounces along the fibre.Physics.
The -er and -re pairs
- Fiber / fibre
- Center / centre
- Theater / theatre
- Meter / metre — though Americans keep meter for the device
- Liter / litre
Latin *fibra*, a filament or entrail, through French *fibre*. The American spelling follows Noah Webster's reform.
How does optical fibre carry light around corners?
By total internal reflection. Light striking the boundary at a shallow angle is reflected back into the fibre rather than escaping.
Is it fiber or fibre?
Fiber in American English, fibre in British. Both are correct in their own varieties.