fiber-optic cable

   A transmission technology that sends pulses of light along specially manufactured optical fibers.

   Each fiber consists of a core, thinner than a human hair, surrounded by a sheath with a much lower refractive index. Light signals introduced at one end of the cable are conducted along the cable as the signals are reflected from the sheath.

   Fiber-optic cable is lighter and smaller than traditional copper cable, is immune to electrical interference, offers better security, and has better signal-transmitting qualities. However, it is more expensive than traditional cables and is more difficult to repair. Fiber-optic cable is often used for high-speed backbones, but as prices drop, we may even see fiber-optic cable running to the desktop.

   See also multimode fiber; single-mode fiber.