Volume I is divided into three chapters.  Chapter one covers the theory of light transmission including wave motion and the transmission of energy.

Chapter two covers the transmission of light along optical fibers and discusses the structure of an optical fiber. Two methods are used to describe how light is transmitted along the optical fiber. The first method, ray theory, uses the concepts of light reflection and refraction. The second method, mode theory, treats light as electromagnetic waves.  The basic optical properties of the materials used to make optical fibers and how these properties affect how light is transmitted through the fiber is discussed.

Chapter three describes the classification of optical fibers.  Optical fibers are classified into two types. The first type is single mode fibers. The second type is multimode fibers. As each name implies, optical fibers are classified by the number of modes that propagate along the fiber.

At the end of the course is a summary of the key terms presented.

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz, which is designed to enhance your understanding of the course material.

Upon completing the course, the learner should be able to do the following:

• Describe fiber optics
• Discuss the electromagnetic theory of light
• Describe the properties of light reflection, refraction, diffusion, and absorption
• Explain how optical fibers transmit light into its own
• Identify the basic optical fiber material properties
• State the difference between multimode and single mode optical fibers
• Explain how optical fibers attenuate and distort light signals
• Understand the processes of light attenuation and dispersion