Fiber-optic analogies with mechanics

We provide a new unified formalism for the analogy between fiber‐optics and mechanics. It is based on the scalar theory of light for an optical fiber with length‐independent refractive index, and the mechanics of a particle in a time‐independent potential. Illustrative examples such as tunneling and precession are given. We also mention the conceptual analogies that arise when we include (i) polarization and (ii) length or time‐dependent variations. This should prove useful both in teaching and as a bridge between research areas.