Types of optical fiber:
There are many types of optical fibers, and the required functions and performances vary according to different uses. However, the principles of design and manufacture are basically the same for the optical fiber used in cable television and communication, such as:
①Small loss;
②There is a certain bandwidth and small dispersion;
③Easy wiring;
④Easy to be unified;
⑤High reliability;
⑥The manufacturing is relatively simple;
⑦Inexpensive and so on. The classification of optical fiber is mainly summarized from the working wavelength, refractive index distribution, transmission mode, raw material and manufacturing method.

Here are examples of various classifications as follows.
(1) Working wavelength: ultraviolet fiber, observable fiber, near-infrared fiber, infrared fiber (0.85μm, 1.3μm, 1.55μm).
(2) Refractive index distribution: step (SI) type fiber, near step type fiber, graded (GI) type fiber, others (such as triangular, W, recessed, etc.).
(3) Transmission mode: single-mode fiber (including polarization-maintaining fiber and non-polarization-maintaining fiber), multi-mode fiber.
(4) Raw materials: quartz optical fiber, multi-component glass optical fiber, plastic optical fiber, composite optical fiber (such as plastic cladding, liquid core, etc.), infrared materials, etc. According to the coating material, it can be divided into inorganic materials (carbon, etc.), metal materials (copper, nickel, etc.) and plastics.
(5) Manufacturing methods: Pre-plasticizing includes vapor phase axial deposition (VAD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), etc., and wire drawing methods include Rod intube and double crucible methods.