A glass optical fiber "captures" a ray of light by imposing total internal reflection upon that ray, many times over. Once inside the glass, such a ray will undergo total internal reflection if it strikes the boundary between glass and air at an angle of incidence that is greater than the critical angle. Suppose that an optical fiber is flat on one end, with the end surface at right angles to the fiber's long axis, as shown. A rod with its long axis in a horizontal orientation is shown. A horizontal, dashed line cuts through the center of the rod. A beam moving up and to the right strikes the left end of the rod at an angle ?iwith the horizontal. A laser beam is directed toward the center of the flat surface at the end of this fiber, at an incidence angle ?i with respect to the normal, as shown. The beam refracts toward the central axis of the fiber (here a dashed line) as it enters the glass. It then reaches the outer edge of the fiber. What is the greatest value (in degrees) for ?i that will allow total internal reflection to occur at the outer edge? (Assume that the fiber material has an index of refraction of 1.30, and that air surrounds the fiber.) answer in degrees.

Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Foundations and Connections
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Chapter38: Refraction And Images Formed By Refraction
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A glass optical fiber "captures" a ray of light by imposing total internal reflection upon that ray, many times over. Once inside the glass, such a ray will undergo total internal reflection if it strikes the boundary between glass and air at an angle of incidence that is greater than the critical angle.
Suppose that an optical fiber is flat on one end, with the end surface at right angles to the fiber's long axis, as shown.
A rod with its long axis in a horizontal orientation is shown. A horizontal, dashed line cuts through the center of the rod. A beam moving up and to the right strikes the left end of the rod at an angle ?iwith the horizontal.
A laser beam is directed toward the center of the flat surface at the end of this fiber, at an incidence angle ?i with respect to the normal, as shown. The beam refracts toward the central axis of the fiber (here a dashed line) as it enters the glass. It then reaches the outer edge of the fiber.
What is the greatest value (in degrees) for ?i that will allow total internal reflection to occur at the outer edge? (Assume that the fiber material has an index of refraction of 1.30, and that air surrounds the fiber.)

answer in degrees. 

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