What is the term for the loss of power that occurs as light pulses travel through optical fiber cables?

The term that refers to the loss of power as light pulses travel through optical fiber cables is attenuation. Attenuation occurs due to various factors such as scattering, absorption, and imperfections within the fiber itself. As light travels along the fiber, some of its energy is lost, resulting in a weaker signal at the receiving end. This loss can significantly impact the performance of communication systems relying on optical fibers, which is why understanding and mitigating attenuation is crucial in fiber optic design and installation.

In contrast, reflection refers to the bouncing back of light when it hits a surface, which is not the same as power loss during transmission. Diffraction is the bending of light waves around obstacles or through openings, while absorption refers to the process where light energy is absorbed by the material of the fiber, converting the light into heat. While these concepts relate to the behavior of light, they are not synonymous with the power loss associated with long-distance transmission through optical fiber.