What is fiber bandwidth?

Fiber bandwidth refers to the information-carrying capacity of the fiber, and it is typically measured in Megahertz per kilometer (MHz/km). This metric indicates how much data can be transmitted through the fiber optic cable over a given distance. The higher the bandwidth, the more data can be sent simultaneously, which is crucial for high-speed data communications.

In fiber optics, bandwidth is influenced by various factors, including the type of fiber, the quality of the components, and the transmission technologies used. Understanding fiber bandwidth is essential for selecting the appropriate fiber optic cables for specific applications, particularly in environments that demand high-speed internet or large data transfers, such as telecommunications and data centers.

The other choices do not accurately define fiber bandwidth. For instance, mentioning the maximum distance that light can travel in a fiber addresses attenuation rather than bandwidth, while the total number of fibers in a cable relates to capacity but doesn't define the bandwidth itself. Similarly, the diameter of a fiber core pertains to physical characteristics rather than its data-carrying capabilities. Thus, option B is the accurate and relevant definition of fiber bandwidth.