The concept of single-mode and multi-mode is the concept of multi-mode fiber and single-mode fiber propagation mode. The term "mode" is used to describe how an optical signal propagates within the glass core of an optical fiber. In single-mode fiber, light travels along one path; in multimode fiber, light travels in multiple paths.

①Core diameter

Single-mode fiber: Typical single-mode fibers are 8 and 10 µm core diameter and 125 µm cladding diameter;

Multimode fiber: The usual multimode fiber is 50 and 62.5µm in core diameter and 125µm in cladding diameter;

②Color:

Single-mode fiber: Generally, the color of the fiber jumper is yellow, and the connector and protective sleeve are blue;

Multimode fiber: the color of the fiber patch cord is generally water green, and the connector and protective sleeve are beige or black;

③Light source:

Single-mode fiber: using a laser as the light source, the light generated by the laser light source is a single light, which can be precisely controlled and has high power;

Multimode fiber: using LED as the light source, the light generated is relatively scattered;

④ Modal dispersion:

Multimode fiber: LED light sources are used in multimode fiber to create a range of wavelengths that propagate at different speeds. This will cause multimodal dispersion, which limits the effective transmission distance of multimode fiber patch cords;

Single-mode fiber: The laser used to drive the single-mode fiber produces a single wavelength of light, so its modal dispersion is smaller than that of multi-mode fiber;

⑤ Bandwidth:

Since multimode fiber has a larger core size than single mode fiber, it supports multiple transmission modes, and the modal dispersion of single mode fiber is smaller than that of multimode fiber. For these reasons, single-mode fiber has a higher bandwidth than multi-mode fiber.

⑥Price:

Single-mode fiber: The price is lower than that of multi-mode fiber, but the equipment of single-mode fiber is more expensive than that of multi-mode fiber, and the cost is higher than that of dual-mode fiber.

Multi-mode fiber: The price is higher than that of single-mode fiber, and the equipment of multi-mode fiber is cheaper than that of single-mode fiber, so the cost of multi-mode fiber is much lower than that of single-mode fiber.

⑦Transmission distance:

Single-mode fiber: Single-mode fiber operates at a data rate of 100M/s or 1G/s, and the transmission distance can reach at least 5KM. Typically, single-mode fiber is used for long-distance signal transmission;

Multimode fiber: Multimode fiber is primarily used for short-distance fiber-optic communications, such as in buildings or campuses. When the transmission speed is 100M/s, the transmission distance reaches 2km.

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