What is the difference between single-mode and multimode fiber?ONU Modem manufacture

1. Core diameter

The main difference between multimode and single-mode fiber is that the former has a larger diameter, usually 50 or 62.5 µ m core diameter, while the typical single-mode fiber has a core diameter of 9 µ m, and the cladding diameter of both is 125 µ m.

2. Light source

Generally, lasers and LEDs are used as light sources. Laser light source is obviously more expensive than LED light source, because the light generated by it can be accurately controlled and has high power. The light produced by LED light sources is relatively scattered (many modes of light), and these light sources are mostly used in multimode fiber jumpers. At the same time, laser light sources (which produce light close to a single mode) are usually used for single-mode fiber jumpers.

3. Bandwidth

Single-mode fiber has a higher bandwidth than multimode fiber.

4. Sheath color

The color of the jacket is sometimes used to distinguish multimode fiber patch cords from multimode fiber patch cords. According to the definition of TIA-598C standard, for non-military purposes, single-mode optical fiber uses yellow outer sheath, and multimode optical fiber uses orange or water green outer sheath. According to different types, some manufacturers use purple to distinguish high-performance OM4 fiber from other types of fiber