What type of light source is commonly used in fiber optics?

In fiber optics, lasers are commonly used as the light source due to their ability to produce coherent light, which means the light waves are in phase and have a consistent wavelength. This coherence allows for efficient transmission of data over long distances without significant loss of signal quality. The precision of lasers in producing a narrow, focused beam enables them to couple effectively into the small core of optical fibers, facilitating high-speed data transfer.

Lasers also have higher intensity compared to other light sources, contributing to better performance in terms of distance and bandwidth. In contrast, while light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are also utilized in some fiber optics applications, they do not achieve the same range or data rates as lasers, making them less effective for long-distance transmissions. Incandescent and fluorescent lights are not used in fiber optics since they emit light in a broader spectrum and lack the necessary coherence and intensity required for efficient fiber optic communication.