Fiber optic (lightguide) market and technology trends are reviewed 1973-1982, and forecasted 1983-2002. The interactions of technical performance, startup and incremental costs, displacement demand and new application demand are outlined. Historical and forecasted requirements for the various lightguide components in communication, sensor and signal processing applications are presented. New equipment markets, which will be created by the availability of virtually free and unlimited bandwidth, are discussed. The impact of fiber optics on the demand for more mature transmission media is discussed.

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© 1984 Laser Institute of America.
1984
Laser Institute of America
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