What is the center part of the glass fiber called that carries the light signals?

The center part of the glass fiber that carries the light signals is referred to as the core. The core is a cylindrical structure that is designed to transmit light through the fiber by allowing the light to bounce along the walls of the core in a process known as total internal reflection. This is essential for the fiber to function as an effective medium for carrying data in the form of light signals.

The core is surrounded by other components, such as cladding, which has a lower refractive index than the core to help keep the light contained within it. The buffer and jacket are additional protective layers that provide physical protection to the fiber and help in maintaining its integrity in various environments. Understanding the role of the core is critical in fiber optics, as it directly relates to the performance and efficiency of data transmission in optical networks.