Fiberkabel

Fiberkabel, or fiber optic cable, is a cable that transmits data as light through thin glass or plastic fibers. The core carries the light signal and is surrounded by a cladding layer with a lower refractive index to keep the light trapped by total internal reflection. The fibers are protected by a buffer coating, strength members, and an outer jacket to withstand handling and environmental conditions.

There are two main types: glass (silica) fiber and plastic optical fiber (POF). Glass fiber offers higher bandwidth and longer reach, while POF is cheaper and suitable for short-range links. Within glass fiber, single-mode fibers use a small core to carry signals over long distances with minimal dispersion, whereas multimode fibers have a larger core for shorter links and easier coupling. Transmission wavelengths commonly lie in the infrared range, with multimode often using around 850 nm and 1300–1550 nm for long-haul systems.

Key advantages of fiberkabel include high data capacity, low signal loss, and immunity to electromagnetic interference. They support high-speed networks, long-distance communications, and large data centers. Limitations include brittleness and the need for precise installation, alignment, and termination. Splicing, connectors (such as LC, SC, or ST), and protective enclosures are required for reliable joints.

Applications span telecommunications, internet backbones, fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), data centers, and industrial networks. Standards and categories for multimode and single-mode fibers address core size, attenuation, and bandwidth, guiding selection for specific distances and data rates.