What is the main difference between LEDs and lasers in fiber optics?

The primary distinction between LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) and lasers (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) in the context of fiber optics centers around how they emit light. Lasers produce coherent light, meaning the light waves are in phase and travel in a well-defined direction. This coherence results in a focused and highly directional beam that is crucial for long-distance data transmission in fiber optic systems.

In contrast, LEDs emit light in multiple directions and across a range of wavelengths, leading to a broader, less directed output. This characteristic makes LEDs less effective than lasers for certain applications, such as those requiring high data rates over long distances, as the spreading of light can lead to greater signal loss and reduced performance.

The use of coherent light by lasers enables them to maintain the integrity of the signal over long distances, leading to broader bandwidth and higher data transfer rates when compared to the typical output of LEDs. This fundamental difference in light emission characteristics is key to understanding their applications in fiber optics, where precision and reliability in data transmission are critical.