(4) Total Internal Reflection Explanation: An optical fiber (or optical fibre) is a flexible, transparent fiber made of glass (Silica) or plastic, slightly thicker than a human hair. It functions as a waveguide, or "light pipe", to transmit light between the two ends of the fiber. Optical fibers typically include a transparent core surrounded by a transparent cladding material with a lower index of refraction. Light is kept in the core by total internal reflection. This causes the fiber to act as a waveguide.