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The development of optical fiber technology was a gradual process, with several key contributors over time. The major milestones are often credited to the following people:
So, while Narinder Singh Kapany laid the groundwork, Charles Kao and the team at Corning Glass Works were crucial in turning optical fiber into a practical, usable technology.
- Narinder Singh Kapany (1960s): Often referred to as the "father of fiber optics," Kapany is credited with inventing the concept of optical fiber and demonstrating the first successful transmission of light through a fiber. He also coined the term "fiber optics."
- Charles K. Kao (1966): Kao, a British-American engineer, is considered one of the most important figures in fiber optic technology. He demonstrated that glass fibers could transmit light over long distances with low loss, making them suitable for communications. This discovery was revolutionary and earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2009.
- Willis H. M. and others (1970): Researchers at Corning Glass Works, including Robert Maurer, Donald Keck, and Peter Schultz, developed the first practical low-loss optical fiber. Their work made it possible to use optical fiber for communications, and they introduced a fiber with much less light loss than previous fibers.
So, while Narinder Singh Kapany laid the groundwork, Charles Kao and the team at Corning Glass Works were crucial in turning optical fiber into a practical, usable technology.