An optical fiber core is the central part of an optical fiber cable that carries light. It is the light-conducting portion of the cable, defined by its higher refractive index. The core is the center of the fiber, surrounded by concentric cladding of lower refractive index. The core is typically made of a silica-based glass material, while the cladding is typically made of a plastic material.
The core is the most important part of an optical fiber cable, as it is responsible for carrying the light from the source to the destination. The core is designed to have the highest refractive index possible, in order to maximize the amount of light that can be transmitted through the cable. The refractive index of the core is usually around 1.5 times higher than that of the cladding.
The diameter of an optical fiber core also plays an important role in the amount of light that can be transmitted. The core diameter is usually between 8 and 10 micrometers. The larger the core diameter, the more light can be transmitted through the cable. Additionally, the core diameter affects the numerical aperture (NA) of the cable, which is a measure of the light-gathering power of the cable.
The core of an optical fiber cable is also responsible for minimizing the amount of light that is lost due to transmission. In order to achieve this, the core is designed to be as uniform as possible. This ensures that any light entering the cable is evenly distributed within the core, thus reducing light loss.
In summary, the core of an optical fiber cable is the most important part of the cable, as it is responsible for carrying the light from the source to the destination.
