"SM" in the context of fiber optic cable stands for Single Mode. It refers to a type of optical fiber that allows only one mode of light to propagate through the fiber core.
Single Mode fiber optic cable is designed to transmit a single ray of light, typically with a narrow core diameter of 9/125 microns (9μm core diameter and 125μm cladding diameter). The core and cladding are engineered in such a way that they enable the propagation of a single mode of light, resulting in high transmission speeds and long-distance communication capabilities.
Single Mode fiber optic cables are commonly used in long-haul telecommunications systems, such as telephony and high-speed internet connections. They are also utilized in applications where high bandwidth and low signal loss are critical, such as in data centers, campus networks, and metropolitan area networks (MANs).
Compared to Multimode fiber optic cables, Single Mode fibers offer higher bandwidth and longer transmission distances. However, Single Mode cables require more precise alignment and typically require more expensive transceivers and equipment.
