Have you ever thought about the structure of optical fiber? How can a thin strand of glass, about the width of a human hair, transmit vast amounts of data across great distances? Optical fiber is composed of three elements – the core, the cladding and the coating. These elements carry data by way of infrared light, thus propagating signal through the fiber. The core is at the center of the optical fiber and provides a pathway for light to travel. In multimode fiber, the core size is either 62.5 or 50 microns (µm), and approximately 8.3 microns in a single-mode fiber. The larger core size in multimode fiber provides various pathways for light to travel, whereas the small core size in single-mode fiber provides a single pathway. Next is the cladding, which is 125 microns. The cladding holds the light inside the core and controls the direction in which light is spread through the fiber. When light enters the fiber at the appropriate approach angle, also known as the critical angle, it will reflect and stay inside the core, thus achieving a process called “total internal reflection”. If it’s not at the perfect angle, the light will refract and the signal will be lost. Lastly, we have the coating, which acts as the primary buffer. It has a diameter that, historically, has been 250 µm. It cushions and protects the fibers from humidity and hostile environments. Two layers of urethane Acrylate (plastic) make up the coating, also known as the “soft” and “hard” layers. The soft layer cushions the fiber and the hard layer provides abrasion resistance. The coating also has a higher index of refraction than the core and the cladding which allows for unwanted light to refract from the cladding. Additionally, there are new fibers being release to the industry that have a reduced diameter of 200 µm. These allow for smaller cable diameters in ultra-high density fiber optic cables, like 3456 fiber and 6912 fiber cables.  You can learn more about optical fiber in this presentation from Patrick Dobbins, the Director of Applications Engineering and Field Engineering for AFL.

Image professionalreviews

In this report, AFL's Jaxon Lang highlights evolving customer expectations in the data center industry, stressing the need for innovation to stay competitive.

AFL contributes an article to the September 2023 issue of Inside Networks exploring the advances of fiber optic cable technology in data center interconnects (DCI).

AFL's director of applications engineering and field engineering provides an introduction to fiber optic technology in this presentation recording.

IMAGESkincarePROFESSIONAL

Video recording from our fiber optic splicing best practices webinar that covered topics such as safety, fiber background and how splicing works.

Attenuation, or the loss of light or signal, is nearly unavoidable when installing your fiber network. This blog will explore its two forms: intrinsic and extrinsic attenuation.

Image professionalproducts

To build your fiber optic network, use this AFL Enterprise Selection Guide with end-to-end ordering information for data center, structured cabling and passive optical LAN applications.

Image professionalwhere to buy

This brochure outlines the functionality of the Splice+ app that works with Fujikura devices for optical fiber splicing that have Bluetooth capability.

IMAGESkincareprofessionaldiscount

In this article in the Fall issue of 7X24 Exchange magazine, AFL discusses the significance and benefits of edge data center investments, even though the trend is in its early days.

Seán Adam details the several drivers that are escalating demand for fiber cable and connectivity, even in the face of some headwinds in this video interview with Cabling Installation & Maintenance.

Product brochure for the ASCEND® platform, a modular, high-density, rack-mount solution designed for data centers, central offices, headends and structured cabling networks.

ImageSkincarePROFESSIONALprice list

This article is part of our Basics of Fiber Series. Other blogs in this series include fiber benefits, the differences between single-mode and multimode and intrinsic and extrinsic attenuation in fiber optic cables.

Image professionalserum

This blog explores how 16-fiber connectors and AFL’s FlowScout® MPO OLTS Test Set are transforming data centers by bridging the fiber gap.

AFL’s Manja Thessin speaks to Datacentre Solutions Magazine and answers the big questions surrounding the unique cabling and connectivity challenges inside modern, AI-driven hyperscale data centers.

IMAGE professionallogin

AFL company video which highlights our history, capabilities and solutions, products and services, core values, safety, environment and community outreach. To learn more about AFL, visit our website:

In this video segment from the 2024 Data Center Summit, AFL provides best practices for planning, deploying and commissioning the fiber infrastructure underpinning cutting-edge AI networks.

Special report from Data Center Frontier based on interviews with AFL subject matter experts and a case study on infrastructure solutions from AFL.

In this blog, AFL discusses what it will take to Achieve a Connected World, including a skilled workforce and a network that has flexibility, accessibility and expandability.

In this podcast recording, produced in partnership with Data Center Frontier, AFL's Manja Thessin explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is driving a revolution in data center design.

This white paper explores the SAFER methodology that helps data centers design and build their white space infrastructure to be energy-efficient, easily accessible, flexible, expandable and reliable.