What is an optical fiber?

An optical fiber is correctly identified as a flexible, transparent fiber that transmits light. This definition emphasizes its key characteristics: flexibility allows the fiber to bend and be woven into various shapes, while its transparency is crucial for enabling light to travel through it with minimal loss. Optical fibers work on the principle of total internal reflection, which allows light entering one end to be guided along its length and emerge at the other end, making them extremely effective for applications such as telecommunications, medical instruments, and lighting.

In contrast, other descriptions do not encompass the essential function and structure of an optical fiber. For example, magnifying devices use lenses or mirrors to enlarge images rather than transmitting light in the way fibers do. Additionally, solid strands that conduct electricity are more aligned with electrical wiring rather than optical fibers, which are designed to transmit light, not electric current. Lastly, while components of optical instruments may include lenses and mirrors, they do not define what an optical fiber is.