What is the function of cladding in a fiber optic cable?

The function of cladding in a fiber optic cable is primarily to reflect light as it passes through the core of the cable. Cladding is a layer of material surrounding the core, which has a lower refractive index than the core itself. This difference in refractive indices causes light traveling through the core to be reflected back into it when it hits the cladding at a certain angle, maintaining the light signal within the core and allowing it to travel long distances with minimal loss. This principle is crucial for the operation of fiber optic communication systems, as it ensures that the light signals are effectively guided along the fiber, facilitating high-speed data transmission.

The cladding does not directly shield the cable from interference, enhance the rigidity of the structure, or solely improve data transmission speed; these aspects are controlled by other components and design choices in the fiber optic system. Thus, the role of cladding as a reflective medium is essential for the functionality of fiber optics.