Total Internal Reflection

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Total Internal Reflection

A critical concept in the case of optical fibers is the case total internal reflection. The bending of light as it goes into medium is related to the index of reflection of the materials. By Snell's law when N1 > n2 then theta 1 is less than theta2. As you decrease the angle theta 1 and bring the light closer to parallel with the interface you reach a critical angle theta1c where there is total internal reflection.