Summary

My research concerns optical waveguide theory. Probably the best known waveguide is the optical fibre, which is basically a glass rod that can guide light over very long distances. If the guided light beam is suitably modulated, it can be used to carry very large amounts of information of all kinds. The importance of mathematics, in the design of optical fibres for reliable transmission of the maximum amount of information, is the subject of my paper.

However, before the design process can begin two other questions must be tackled. The first concerns the description of the various types of information to be transmitted--pictures, text, words, music, video, computer data and so on. This description must allow us to assess what data rates are required for acceptable and reliable optical communications. Of course, mathematics is the key.

Secondly, we must face Samuel Johnson's dilemma: ``we all know what light is; but it is not easy to tell what it is''. Mathematics to the rescue again! With a suitable choice of formalism we can build a theoretical, mathematical model of light transmission along an optical fibre and then use it to develop an optimum design.

Fibre designs have allowed engineers to construct optical communications systems now proving to be enormously successful in Australia and worldwide.