Plastic Optical Fibers: An Introduction to Their Technological Processes and Applications

Abstract The most significant features of plastic optical fibers (POFs) are reviewed, including the main types of POFs, their manufacture, and their possible present and future applications. Among others, their properties regarding bandwidth, attenuation, and influence of external parameters are discussed. These fibers serve as a complement for glass fibers in short-haul communications links, because they are easy to handle, flexible, and economical. Because of these merits, varied applications with POFs have been developed and commercialized, from their use as a simple light transmission guide to their utilization as sensors and telecommunications cables. This paper is a comprehensive introduction to POFs. In addition, its great number of references facilitates further inquires about the subject.