Total Internal Reflection (TIR)

What is total reflection?

Total internal reflection refers to the phenomenon where when light travels from a medium with a higher refractive index to a medium with a lower refractive index , if the angle of incidence reaches a certain degree, the light no longer refracts out but is completely reflected back into the original medium , just like bouncing back after hitting a wall.

How to make Total Internal Reflection Happen?

For total internal reflection to occur, two conditions must be met:

 

Total Internal Reflection in Fiber Optics

In fiber optics, total internal reflection (TIR) happens like this:
  • Optical fibers have a core (inner part) with a higher refractive index than the surrounding cladding.
  • When light travels through the core and hits the core-cladding boundary at a steep enough angle, it doesn't leak out into the cladding.
  • Instead, the light bounces back into the core, reflecting repeatedly off the boundary as it moves down the fiber.
  • This "trapping" of light inside the core lets it travel long distances without significant loss.

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