What are the fundamental transmission mechanisms and classification characteristics of optical fiber cables in modern data networks?

Optical fiber cables utilize lightwave propagation to transmit digital information, employing transponders at each end to convert electrical data signals into modulated light pulses and back. The core transmission principle relies on total internal reflection, where light waves bounce within the fiber's glass or plastic core, enabling signal integrity over significantly longer distances than metallic conductors.   These cables are primarily categorized into two configurations: single-mode and multi-mode. Single-mode fibers feature a core diameter under 10 micrometers, facilitating direct light transmission paths that support data transfer across distances exceeding 100 kilometers. In contrast, multi-mode variants provide multiple reflective pathways for light propagation, limiting effective range to approximately 2 kilometers but offering cost advantages and efficiency benefits for short-haul applications like data center interconnects.   While predominantly designed for data transmission, specialized implementations using photovoltaic conversion allow limited power delivery in environments where electromagnetic interference renders metallic cables impractical, such as medical imaging facilities with high-field MRI equipment.