What is a significant characteristic of multi-mode fiber optic cables?

Multi-mode fiber optic cables are designed with a larger core size, allowing multiple light modes to propagate simultaneously. This design is particularly advantageous for short-distance applications, typically within buildings or campuses where high bandwidth is necessary over relatively short runs.

Their ability to support multiple light paths means that they can handle signals over a limited distance without significant loss, making them ideal for connecting various devices in local area networks (LANs) and for applications such as data centers. The performance of multi-mode fibers decreases over longer distances due to modal dispersion, where the different light modes arrive at the destination at different times. This is contrasted with single-mode fibers, which, owing to their smaller core, can carry light over greater distances with less signal loss.

Given these attributes, multi-mode fiber is specifically suited for short-distance applications, aligning with the correct response.