What is one of the main limitations of polymer optical fibers?

One of the main limitations of polymer optical fibers is their reduced signal quality over long runs. Polymer optical fibers typically have higher attenuation compared to glass fibers, meaning that as the signal travels through the fiber, its strength decreases more quickly, resulting in poorer quality over longer distances. This attenuation is due to factors like scattering and absorption within the polymer material, limiting the effective range for applications that require a clear and strong signal.

For instance, while polymer fibers may be advantageous for short-distance applications due to their flexibility and ease of installation, they are not suitable for long-haul communications where consistent and high-quality data transmission is necessary. This limitation is critical when designing networks or systems that depend on reliable signal integrity over significant distances.