Yes, splitting light using prisms can be used to send multiple data streams using a technique called wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). WDM is a method commonly used in optical fiber communication systems to transmit multiple signals simultaneously over a single optical fiber.
In WDM, the different data streams are encoded onto separate wavelengths of light. Each data stream is assigned a specific wavelength within the optical spectrum. These wavelengths are then combined using a device known as a multiplexer. The multiplexer combines the individual wavelengths into a single composite signal, which is then transmitted through the optical fiber.
At the receiving end, a demultiplexer separates the composite signal back into its constituent wavelengths using prisms or other techniques. Each wavelength is then directed to the appropriate receiver, where the data is extracted from the corresponding data stream.
By using different wavelengths to carry distinct data streams, WDM enables multiple data channels to coexist on a single optical fiber. This significantly increases the capacity and efficiency of optical communication systems, as it allows for the simultaneous transmission of multiple independent signals over the same infrastructure.