The Influence of Electromagnetic Radiation from Lightning on Fiber-Optic Communication Lines

This article discusses the results of physical simulation of the influence of electromagnetic radiation from lightning discharges and thunderclouds on completely dielectric and armored fiber-optic cables. Lightning discharges were simulated using an experimental facility that allows the creation of artificial electrically active clouds. It has been shown that discharges from an artificial thundercloud near a fiber-optic cable cause rapid changes in the angle of rotation of the plane of polarization of radiation transmitted along the cable. This effect is observed for both armored and completely dielectric fiber-optic cables of moderate length. Completely dielectric cables of longer lengths are less sensitive to rapid changes in the electromagnetic field, but are sensitive to slow changes in the electric field.