How does the core's refractive index affect graded-index fibers?

In graded-index fibers, the refractive index of the core is designed to decrease gradually as the distance from the center of the core increases. This design allows for more efficient light transmission by reducing the scattering and reflection that occurs at boundaries where light might otherwise experience abrupt changes in refractive index.

The gradual decrease in refractive index helps to guide the light more effectively along the fiber, allowing for longer distances and higher bandwidths compared to step-index fibers, where the refractive index changes sharply. This principle is fundamental to the operation of graded-index fibers, as it enables them to minimize modal dispersion and maintain signal integrity over long distances. Thus, as you move outward from the core, the refractive index decreases, aligning with the characteristics of graded-index fiber optics.