In fiber-optic communication, a single-mode optical fiber, also known as fundamental- or mono-mode, is an optical fiber designed to carry only a single mode of light - the transverse mode. A fiber optic cable (frequently shortened to “fiber cable”) is a specialized transmission medium crafted to carry data as light pulses through ultra-thin strands of glass or plastic known as optical fibers. Unlike copper cables, which depend on electrical signals, fiber leverages light to convey. What are the main types of fiber optic cables? The two primary categories of fiber optic cables are single-mode fiber (SMF) and multimode fiber (MMF). Single-mode fiber is designed for long-distance, high-speed transmission, while multimode fiber is used for shorter-range networking in data centers. There are different types of fiber optic cables because each type is optimized for specific applications that have unique requirements for bandwidth, transmission distance, and environmental factors. Although they can do the same job in some instances, the different construction methods make each of them better suited to certain tasks and budgets. The difference between multimode and single mode comes down to the diameter of that core and, as a result, how light travels through it. Multimode fibre has a larger core — typically 50 microns in diameter.