How does temperature impact fiber optic performance?

Temperature significantly impacts fiber optic performance, primarily due to the physical properties of the materials used in fiber optic cables. When exposed to extreme temperatures, the materials in the fiber optic cable can expand or contract. This expansion or contraction can lead to changes in the cable's physical characteristics, such as the alignment of the fiber core and cladding, which are crucial for maintaining optimal light transmission.

When the fiber optic cable expands, it may alter the refractive index and create a mismatch between the core and cladding, potentially causing increased signal loss or degradation. Conversely, if the cable contracts too much, it could lead to physical stress on the fibers, which can result in microbending or macrobending, further impacting signal quality.

Understanding this relationship between temperature and fiber optic performance is essential for ensuring reliable communication and minimizing outages or performance issues, particularly in environments that experience significant temperature fluctuations. The other options do not adequately address the nuanced interactions between temperature and fiber optics and do not reflect the observed phenomena in practical applications.