Newsroom
What is a Multimode Fiber?
A Multimode fiber is an optical fiber designed to support the propagation of multiple guided optical modes simultaneously. It typically has a larger core diameter and higher numerical aperture than single-mode fiber, allowing light to propagate along multiple paths through the fiber.
Multimode fibers are widely used for short-distance optical transmission, sensing, and high-power optical systems, where their large core can facilitate efficient light coupling and power delivery.
HOW a Multimode Fiber Works
A Multimode fiber guides multiple optical modes through its core, with each mode following a different propagation path. The fiber's core diameter, numerical aperture, and refractive index profile determine how many modes can propagate.
Light coupling
An optical source launches light into the relatively large fiber core, exciting multiple guided modes.
Multiple mode propagation
Each mode propagates through the fiber according to the fiber's refractive index profile and boundary conditions.
Mode propagation and dispersion
The different modes can travel along different paths and arrive at different times, potentially causing modal dispersion and limiting transmission bandwidth.
