The difference between multi-mode fiber and single-mode fiber is: the difference in working principle, the difference in transmission distance.
1, the working principle of difference: multi-mode fiber supports multiple light (mode) through at the same time, each light presents a different propagation path and propagation speed. Single-mode fiber can only support a light through the core of the fiber, light propagation in the fiber only presents a mode, the propagation speed is faster.
2, transmission distance difference: multi-mode fiber for shorter distance transmission, usually between a few hundred meters to a few thousand meters. And single-mode fiber for long-distance transmission, can cover tens of kilometers or even hundreds of kilometers.
The role of optical fiber
1, fiber-optic communication: optical fiber as the medium of optical signal transmission, can be high-speed, high-quality transmission of signals over long distances. Compared with traditional cable communication, fiber optic communication has a higher transmission bandwidth and lower signal loss, which can meet the needs of modern communication for large data transmission. Fiber optic communications are widely used in telephone networks, the Internet, television transmission and so on.
2, medical equipment: fiber optics as a soft, bendable material, can be used in medical equipment for optical imaging, laser surgery and phototherapy. Fiber laser systems can be used to accurately perform surgical cutting and welding.
3, scientific research: fiber optic sensing technology can convert optical signals into electrical signals, through the measurement and analysis of changes in optical signals, in order to achieve accurate measurement of temperature, pressure, electromagnetic fields and other physical parameters. This fiber optic sensing technology is widely used in geological exploration, drone monitoring, structural health monitoring and other fields.
Refer to Baidu Encyclopedia-Fiber Optics for the above