What advantage do laser sources provide when used with fiber optic cables?

Laser sources provide the advantage of higher bandwidth when used with fiber optic cables due to their ability to emit light at specific wavelengths with minimal spread. This allows for multiple channels to be transmitted simultaneously over the same fiber, effectively increasing the amount of data that can be sent at once. The precise wavelength and coherence of laser light enable greater distances of transmission and faster data rates compared to other light sources, such as LEDs, which can experience more dispersion and have limited bandwidth capacity.

The enhanced performance of laser sources is particularly beneficial for long-haul communications and applications demanding high data rates, such as those used in data centers and high-speed networks. Their ability to support sophisticated modulation techniques is also a key factor in maximizing data throughput. Ultimately, the use of lasers in fiber optic systems is fundamental in achieving the necessary performance for modern communication demands.