What type of fiber cable allows for longer distances?

Single mode fiber-optic cable is designed to transmit data over much longer distances compared to multimode fiber and other types of cables like coaxial and twisted pair. This is primarily due to its construction and the inherent properties of light propagation within the fiber.

Single mode fiber features a smaller core diameter, typically around 8 to 10 microns, which allows only one mode of light to travel through the fiber. This minimizes modal dispersion, a phenomenon that can cause signal degradation over long distances as multiple light modes would travel at different speeds and angles in a larger core. Because single mode fiber supports longer wavelengths, it can effectively carry signals for many kilometers without significant loss, making it ideal for long-range telecommunications and data applications.

In contrast, multimode fiber has a larger core diameter which supports multiple light modes, making it less suitable for long distances due to greater modal dispersion. Coaxial cable and twisted pair cable are also generally limited in distance capabilities compared to single mode fiber, as they can suffer from signal loss and attenuation over longer runs.