Core: The core is the central part of the fiber optic cable through which light travels. It is typically made of glass or plastic and serves as the medium for transmitting the optical signals.

Cladding: Surrounding the core is a layer called cladding, which has a different optical density than the core. The cladding helps to reflect the light back into the core, preventing signal loss and ensuring efficient transmission.

Coating: A protective layer called the coating surrounds the cladding. It is typically made of plastic and provides mechanical protection to the fiber.

Single-mode vs. Multi-mode: Optical fiber cables come in two main types: single-mode and multi-mode. Single-mode fibers have a smaller core, allowing for the transmission of a single mode of light, which results in higher bandwidth and longer transmission distances. Multi-mode fibers have a larger core, allowing for the transmission of multiple modes of light. Multi-mode fibers are often used for shorter-distance applications within buildings or data centers.

Transceivers: At each end of the fiber optic link, transceivers are used to convert electrical signals into optical signals for transmission and then back into electrical signals upon reception.

Telecommunications: Optical fiber cables are widely used for long-distance communication, including telephone, internet, and cable television services.

Data Networking: They are essential for high-speed data transmission in local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and data center interconnects.

Medical Imaging: Fiber optics is used in medical imaging devices, such as endoscopes, for transmitting light and images.

Military and Aerospace: Optical fiber cables are used in various military and aerospace applications due to their lightweight and high-performance characteristics.

High Bandwidth: Optical fibers can carry large amounts of data with high bandwidth.

Low Signal Loss: Compared to traditional copper cables, optical fibers experience minimal signal loss over long distances.

Immunity to Electromagnetic Interference (EMI): Fiber optic cables are not susceptible to electromagnetic interference, providing a more reliable signal transmission.

Installation Costs: The initial installation of fiber optic infrastructure can be expensive.

Fragility: Optical fibers can be more fragile than copper cables and may require careful handling.