Optical Waveguide

An optical waveguide is a structure that channels light from one point to another, similar to how a pipe directs water. It typically consists of a core material with a high refractive index, surrounded by cladding with a lower refractive index. This difference causes light to stay confined within the core through a process called total internal reflection, allowing efficient transmission over long distances with minimal loss. Optical waveguides are fundamental in fiber optics, enabling high-speed internet, telecommunications, and medical imaging by guiding light precisely and reliably.