Get the angle straight

In Figure 6 on page 124 of the September issue ["Singlemode fiber connections provide analog transmission success" by Irwin Math], the way the angled physical contact is shown is wrong [see original version below left].

An angled physical contact connection must be shown angled, not perpendicular to the direction of incident light. Otherwise it`s unclear what the advantage of the angle is in order to reduce backreflection.

Ilya Makhlin Fiber-optic engineering manager Storm Products Co., Hinsdale, IL

Math replies:

I can see how the drawing might not be clear with regard to the 8° angle. Although the angle is shown at the top and bottom of the fiber, it should have been continued through the central core [see corrected version below right].