What is single mode fiber and multimode fiber? What is the difference between the two?

The rapid development of network communication, the application of optical fiber is also more and more extensive. Fiber optics, which is a large and general concept. This is also subdivided into single-mode fiber and multi-mode fiber, what is the meaning of each of these two? What is the difference between the two? The following easy flyer communication to give you a detailed introduction.

I: What is single mode fiber?

Single Mode Fiber: The central glass core is very thin (core diameter is usually 9 or 10 μm) and can only transmit one mode of fiber. Therefore, its intermode dispersion is very small and is suitable for long-distance communication.

Multimode fiber optic patch cable uses multimode fiber, both ends are equipped with connectors, used to achieve the connection from the equipment to the fiber optic cabling link, there is a thicker layer of protection, generally used in the optical terminal and the connection between the terminal box. Multimode fiber allows different modes of light transmission on a single fiber, due to the larger core diameter of the multimode fiber, so you can use the cheaper coupler and junction, multimode fiber core diameter of 50μm to 100μm.

II: What is the difference between single mode fiber and multimode fiber before?

1: Light source

Single-mode fibers use solid-state lasers as the light source; multimode fibers use light-emitting diodes as the light source;

2: Broadband

Single-mode fiber transmission bandwidth and long transmission distance, but because it requires a laser source, the cost is higher; multi-mode fiber transmission speed is low, the distance is short, but its cost is relatively low;

3: Diameter

Multimode fibers are typically 50 or 62.5µm core diameters, while typical singlemode fibers are 8 and 10µm core diameters, both with a cladding diameter of 125µm.

4: Dispersion

Single-mode fibers have a small core diameter and dispersion, allowing only one mode of transmission; multimode fibers have a large core diameter and dispersion, allowing hundreds of modes of transmission.

III: Where are singlemode/multimode fibers and singlemode/multimode optical modules used?

Single-mode fibers enable the fiber to be launched directly to the center and are generally used for long-distance data transmission; multimode fibers in which optical signals propagate through multiple pathways, so multimode fibers are often used for short-distance data transmission.

Single-mode optical modules are commonly used in long-distance and metropolitan area networks with relatively high transmission rates; multimode optical modules are used in short-distance transmission.

Fourth: Can singlemode/multimode fiber be mixed with singlemode/multimode optical modules?

Singlemode/multimode optical fiber can and singlemode/multimode optical module can not be mixed, you must match the optical fiber and optical module can be used properly.

V: What are the quotes for single mode fiber patch cords and multimode fiber patch cords?

Single-mode fiber optic patch cords are more expensive, and multi-mode fiber optic patch cords are relatively cheaper, mainly because they use different types of fiber and transmission distance to lead to the price difference.