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description of Fiber Optics    Core - Thin glass center of the
fiber where the light travels. Buffer coating - Plastic coating
that protects the fiber from damage and moisture.Hundreds or
thousands of these optical fibers are arranged in bundles in
optical cables. The bundles are protected by the cable's outer
covering, called a jacket.  Optical fibers come in two types:
Single-mode fibers - Used to transmit one signal per fiber (used
in telephones and cable TV) Multi-mode fibers - Used to transmit
many signals per fiber (used in computer networks, local area
networks)  Single-mode fibers have small cores (about 3.5 x 10-4
inches or 9 microns in diameter) and transmit infrared laser
light (wavelength = 1,300 to 1,550 nanometers). •Multi-mode
fibers have larger cores (about 2.5 x 10-3 inches or 62.5
microns in diameter) and transmit infrared light (wavelength =
850 to 1,300 nm) from light-