What term describes the maximum amount of light a fiber can carry?

The term that describes the maximum amount of light a fiber can carry is bandwidth. In the context of fiber optic cables, bandwidth refers to the data-carrying capacity, which is determined by the amount of light signal that the fiber can transmit effectively over a given distance. It is a critical factor that influences the performance of a fiber optic communication system, as it defines how much information can be sent over the fiber simultaneously.

Bandwidth is not just about the physical amount of light but also involves the modulation techniques and the wavelengths used for transmission. Higher bandwidth allows for more data to be transferred in the same time frame, enhancing the efficiency of communication systems.

In contrast, attenuation refers to the loss of signal strength as light travels through the fiber, which affects the distance over which data can be effectively transmitted. Capacity and throughput are also related to the flow of information but do not specifically define the maximum light a fiber can carry. Therefore, bandwidth is the most precise term that encapsulates the capacity for light transmission in fiber optics.