How is the optical fiber classified according to the different transmission of optical wave mode in the fiber?

Optical fiber is a type of guided transmission medium that transmits light from one end of the fiber to the other end. The optical fiber is made up of a core, cladding, and coating, and its performance is determined by various factors such as attenuation, dispersion, and bandwidth. The fiber's performance is also influenced by the type of wave mode transmitted through the fiber. In this article, we will discuss how optical fiber is classified according to the different transmission of optical wave mode in the fiber.

Optical Wave Modes

An optical wave is a disturbance in the electromagnetic field that travels through space at a specific frequency and wavelength. In optical fiber, light waves are guided through the fiber by reflecting off the fiber's walls. The wave mode of the light traveling through the fiber determines the performance characteristics of the fiber.

There are two types of wave modes that can be transmitted through an optical fiber: single-mode and multimode.

Single-Mode Fiber

Single-mode fiber is designed to carry only one mode of light. The core diameter of single-mode fiber is typically 8-10 microns, which is much smaller than the core diameter of multimode fiber. The small core diameter allows only one mode of light to propagate through the fiber, resulting in a smaller pulse spreading and a lower level of signal loss. Single-mode fiber is typically used for long-haul telecommunications applications and can transmit data at high speeds over long distances.

Multimode Fiber

Multimode fiber is designed to carry multiple modes of light. The core diameter of multimode fiber is typically 50-62.5 microns, which is much larger than the core diameter of single-mode fiber. The larger core diameter allows multiple modes of light to propagate through the fiber, resulting in larger pulse spreading and higher levels of signal loss. Multimode fiber is typically used for shorter distance applications such as data centers, campus environments, and LANs.

Classification of Optical Fiber According to Wave Mode

Optical fiber can be classified according to the wave mode transmitted through the fiber as follows:

Single-Mode Fiber (SMF)

Single-mode fiber is designed to carry only one mode of light. The fiber's core diameter is typically 8-10 microns, which is much smaller than the core diameter of multimode fiber. The small core diameter allows only one mode of light to propagate through the fiber, resulting in a smaller pulse spreading and a lower level of signal loss. SMF is typically used for long-haul telecommunications applications and can transmit data at high speeds over long distances.

Single-mode fiber can be further classified into two categories:

Standard Single-Mode Fiber (SSMF): SSMF has a core diameter of 8-10 microns and a cladding diameter of 125 microns. It can transmit data at distances up to 100 km.

Zero Dispersion Single-Mode Fiber (ZDSMF): ZDSMF has a core diameter of 4-6 microns and a cladding diameter of 125 microns. It is designed to minimize dispersion, which allows it to transmit data at longer distances than SSMF.

Multimode Fiber (MMF)

Multimode fiber is designed to carry multiple modes of light. The fiber's core diameter is typically 50-62.5 microns, which is much larger than the core diameter of single-mode fiber. The larger core diameter allows multiple modes of light to propagate through the fiber, resulting in larger pulse spreading and higher levels of signal loss. MMF is typically used for shorter distance applications such as data centers, campus environments, and LANs.