Specifications For Optical Fiber Types
Today's networks must have the proper fiber optic cabling to ensure optimal performance and to meet network specifications including connection speeds. The chart below shows the capacity of popular fiber types, and their common applications.
| Core/Cladding | Attenuation | Bandwidth | Applications |
| Graded-Index (Multimode) | |||
| @850/1300nm | |||
| 50/125 microns | 3/1 dB/km | 500/500 MHz-km | Laser-rated for GbE LANs |
| 50/125 microns | 3/1 dB/km | 2000/500 MHz-km | Optimized for 850 nm VCSELs |
| 62.5/125 microns | 3/1 dB/km | 160/500 MHz-km | Most common LAN fiber |
| 100/140 microns | 3/1 dB/km | 150/300 MHz-km | Obsolete |
| Singlemode | |||
| @1310/1550nm | |||
| 8-9/125 microns | 0.4/0.25 dB/km | ~100 Terahertz | Telco/CATV/long high speed LANs |
| Step-Index (Multimode) | |||
| @850nm | @850nm | ||
| 200/230 microns | 4-6 dB/km | 50 MHz-km | Slow LANs & links |
| Plastic Optical Fiber | |||
| @650nm | @650nm | ||
| 980/1000 microns | ~1 dB/m | ~5 MHz-km | Short optical links, vehicle displays |