Which fiber mode allows light to bounce off the sheath and cover shorter distances?

Multimode fiber is designed to allow light to travel through the core using multiple paths or modes. This is achieved by bouncing light off the inner walls of the fiber's core, which is much larger in diameter compared to single mode fiber. As a result, multimode fiber is capable of covering shorter distances effectively, making it suitable for applications such as local area networks (LANs) within buildings.

The core's wider diameter enables greater light acceptance and reduces the loss of signal strength over the shorter distances it is typically used for, such as within a single structure or across a campus. While single mode fiber is optimized for long-distance communication by allowing only one mode of light to travel, multimode fiber's capability to support multiple paths of light makes it advantageous for shorter runs where higher bandwidth is required over limited distances.

In contrast, options like optical fiber and waveguide fiber are general terms or refer to specific types of optical technologies that may not directly pertain to the question about modes of fiber specifically used for data transmission.