Modal Dispersion

Modal dispersion occurs in optical fibers when different light modes, or paths, travel at various speeds, causing the light pulse to spread out over distance. This spreading makes it harder to distinguish individual signals, especially over long distances, leading to potential data loss or slower transmission rates. Essentially, because some light rays take longer routes within the fiber than others, the transmitted signal becomes less sharp and more dispersed as it travels, limiting the fiber’s ability to carry high-speed data efficiently.