Single-mode and multi-mode fibers are types of optical fibers used in telecommunications and data transmission. They differ primarily in the way light travels through the core of the fiber.

Single-mode fiber (SMF):

- Single-mode fibers have a much smaller core diameter, typically around 9 microns (μm).
- Light travels along a single path, known as the mode, through the core of the fiber.
- Because of the smaller core and single mode of transmission, single-mode fibers offer higher bandwidth and longer transmission distances.
- They are commonly used in long-distance telecommunications, such as telecommunications networks, internet backbone infrastructure, and high-speed data transmission over long distances.

Multi-mode fiber (MMF):

- Multi-mode fibers have a larger core diameter, typically between 50 to 62.5 microns (μm).
- Light can travel along multiple paths, or modes, through the core of the fiber.
- Due to the larger core and multiple modes of transmission, multi-mode fibers have lower bandwidth and shorter transmission distances compared to single-mode fibers.
- They are commonly used in shorter-distance applications such as data centers, local area networks (LANs), and campus networks where high-speed data transmission over shorter distances is required.

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