What is the difference between single-mode (SM) and multimode (MM) cable?
Single-mode (SM) and Multimode (MM) cables differ by which wavelengths of light they are optimized for and the number of light signals they support. MM fiber is the most common cable and supports multiple light signals at various wavelengths simultaneously. The fiber core comes in 62.5 or 50 microns. SM fiber has a much smaller core (≈ 9 microns) and can only support a single wavelength of light signal. Because the SM cable has a smaller core and supports only one signal, there is less attenuation and data can travel longer distances.
