Single Mode vs Multimode
[ SM · 9 µm core ]
Single Mode
- ▸ Long distance (kilometers to hundreds of km)
- ▸ Telecommunications & ISP backbones
- ▸ Yellow jacket (typical)
[ MM · 50/62.5 µm core ]
Multimode
- ▸ Short distance (under ~550m typical)
- ▸ Inside buildings & data centers
- ▸ Orange / aqua / magenta jacket
Feature
Single Mode
Multimode
Core size
~9 µm
50 or 62.5 µm
Light source
Laser
LED or VCSEL
Distance
Long-haul
Short runs
Typical use
Carrier networks
LANs, data centers
Cost
Cheaper cable, pricier optics
Pricier cable, cheaper optics
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