Fiber Optic Cables: Single Mode vs. Multimode

Fiber optic cables have revolutionized data transmission due to their high bandwidth, long distances, and immunity to electromagnetic interference. Within fiber optic cables, there are two primary types: single mode and multimode.  

Single Mode Fiber

• Core Diameter: 8-10 micrometers
• Light Source: Laser  
• Distance: Long distances (up to 100 km)  
• Bandwidth: High bandwidth  
• Cost: More expensive
• Applications: Long-haul telecommunications, data centers, and high-speed networks  
Single Mode Fiber Optic Cable

Multimode Fiber

• Core Diameter: 50 or 62.5 micrometers  
• Light Source: LED or VCSEL  
• Distance: Shorter distances (up to 550 meters)
• Bandwidth: Lower bandwidth than single mode  
• Cost: Less expensive
• Applications: Local area networks (LANs), building backbones, and data centers with shorter distances  
Multimode Fiber Optic Cable

Key Differences