Fiber optics

Light guides are transparent, flexible materials, such as fibers, tubes or rods, through which light is transported. The light is mostly transmitted by total reflection at the interface of the light guide. For this purpose, the medium surrounding the light guide must have a lower refractive index n or refractive index gradient. Another option is to mirror the boundary surface.
Light-conducting materials can be plastic (polycarbonate, PMMA, …) or fibers made of glass or quartz glass. High-quality fiber optic cables (optical fiber cables), as used in telecommunications, have a high optical density / high refractive index and therefore also a small critical angle of total reflection.
Principle of a (fluid) light guide (source: Lumatec).
Applications for optical fibers in image processing are found where space is limited, where space is difficult to access or in demanding environmental conditions, such as high temperatures or when chemical resistance is required. The light from powerful LEDs can be transported to where it is needed over long distances using light guides.

Büchner offers fiber optic systems → here.