What is the primary difference between multimode and single-mode fibers?

The primary difference between multimode and single-mode fibers lies in their design and the number of light paths, or modes, that they can support. Multimode fibers have a larger core diameter, which allows multiple modes of light to propagate through the fiber simultaneously. This characteristic enables a higher amount of light to travel simultaneously, making multimode fibers suitable for short-distance communication, typically within buildings or campuses.

On the other hand, single-mode fibers possess a much smaller core diameter, allowing only one mode of light to propagate. This restriction minimizes modal dispersion, which can lead to signal degradation over longer distances. Consequently, single-mode fibers are often used for long-distance telecommunication applications, where high bandwidth and low signal loss are crucial.

This distinction in the number of modes that each type of fiber can support is fundamental to their applications and performance characteristics. The other options do not accurately describe the key difference between multimode and single-mode fibers:

• The claim related to voltage is irrelevant as fiber optics are primarily concerned with light transmission, not electrical voltage.

• The assertion about core thickness is misleading; single-mode fibers are actually designed to be thinner than multimode fibers.

• The statement regarding single-mode fibers being used exclusively for telecommunications is inaccurate; while they are preferred