What is the typical wavelength range for single-mode fibers?

The typical wavelength range for single-mode fibers is predominantly found between 1310 nm and 1550 nm. This range is utilized because these wavelengths provide optimal performance characteristics for long-distance communication. At 1310 nm, the attenuation (signal loss) is relatively low and appropriate for moderate distances, while 1550 nm offers even lower attenuation, making it ideal for longer distances.

Single-mode fibers are designed to allow only one mode of light to propagate, which minimizes modal dispersion and enables higher bandwidth over extended distances compared to multimode fibers. The wavelength range of 850 nm to 1300 nm is generally associated with multimode fibers, while the ranges of 400 nm to 700 nm and 600 nm to 900 nm are not applicable for fiber optics as they fall into the visible light spectrum, which is not utilized for the types of long-distance communications that single-mode fibers excel at.