Lasers in Communication

Abstract In this day and age there are many applications for the laser. The laser is much more than just a high performance light bulb it has many special features. This paper talks about the foundation of lasers and their use in communications. A chorological time list of events will also be presented to show the development of lasers in communication. Introduction Fiber optics has become the dominant medium for long-distance telecommunications in the USA. …

…and Chicago. 1984 AT&T fiber-optic cable enters service, connecting major cities in the Boston-Washington corridor. 1988 The first transatlantic fiber cable is laid, using glass so transparent that amplifiers are spaced about 40 miles apart. 1991 Emmanuel Desurvire at Bell Laboratories along with David Payne and P.J. Mears at England's University of Southampton, demonstrate optical amplifiers--built into the fiber cable itself. 1996 All-optic fiber cables are laid across the Pacific. Complete round-the-world installation is expected by 1997. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**