What is the typical core diameter of single-mode fiber?

The typical core diameter of single-mode fiber is approximately 8 to 10 micrometers. This narrow core diameter is a defining characteristic of single-mode fiber optic cables, which are designed to carry light directly down the fiber with minimal modal dispersion. The small core allows only a single light mode to propagate, resulting in higher bandwidth and longer transmission distances compared to multimode fibers, which have larger core diameters (typically 50 to 62.5 micrometers). The design of single-mode fiber is essential for applications requiring high-speed data transfer over long distances, making it the preferred choice for telecommunications and high-speed networks.