Ashoka Network Solutions

Material:

• The core is generally made from glass (silica) or plastic (polymer).

• Glass fibers are more common in long-distance communications due to their lower attenuation and greater bandwidth.

Diameter:

• The core typically ranges from 8 to 10 microns in diameter for single-mode fiber (SMF) and 50 to 100 microns for multimode fiber (MMF).

Function:

• The core’s primary function is to transmit light signals through total internal reflection. Light is injected into the core and bounces off the walls of the core due to its refractive index being higher than the cladding surrounding it.

Cladding:

• Surrounding the core is a layer called the cladding, which has a lower refractive index. This difference ensures the light remains within the core by reflecting off the cladding and traveling down the fiber.

Types of Fiber Cores:

• Single-Mode Fiber (SMF): The core is smaller (around 8-10 microns), and the fiber only allows a single mode of light to pass through. SMF is used for long-distance communication due to its low attenuation and high bandwidth.

• Multimode Fiber (MMF): The core is larger (about 50-100 microns), and it allows multiple modes of light to travel simultaneously. MMF is typically used for shorter distances like within buildings or data centers.