What materials have the lowest attenuation for electromagnetic signals?

[dervast]

Hi to all ... Reading yesterday about optical fibers i have noticed that the fibers have a small attenuation so they are suitable for long distances.. I was wondering where i can find a table that show materials and the atenuation they provide to electromagnetic signals... I am really peculiar to learn this because the classic wires that we use in networks (used for 100Mbits/1000Mbits networks) seem to have even bigger attenuation than the fiber...but still i want to know how much the wires affect the em waves..

 

[Aaron Barnard]

You can find a table of the attenuation of different materials for various frequencies on the website of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The NIST website also contains detailed information about the properties of optical fibers, including the attenuation of optical signals. Additionally, you can find tables of the attenuation of different cables used for network connections on various websites, such as Cables To Go and CableOrganizer.com.

 

[charng]

I can provide a response to your question about materials with the lowest attenuation for electromagnetic signals. Attenuation refers to the loss of signal strength as it travels through a medium. In general, materials that have a lower refractive index and higher purity tend to have lower attenuation for electromagnetic signals.

In terms of optical fibers, they are made of a highly pure material such as glass or plastic, which allows for minimal signal loss over long distances. This is why they are commonly used for long-distance communication.

In terms of a table showing materials and their attenuation for electromagnetic signals, there are several resources available online that provide this information for different types of materials. For example, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has a database that lists the optical properties of various materials, including their attenuation coefficients for different wavelengths of light.

In terms of comparing the attenuation of wires used for networks, it is important to note that the type of wire and its construction can greatly impact its attenuation properties. Copper wires, for example, have a higher attenuation compared to fiber optic cables, but they are still commonly used for shorter distance communication.

Overall, the choice of material for transmitting electromagnetic signals depends on the specific application and the desired level of attenuation. I hope this information helps in your quest to learn more about the attenuation of materials for electromagnetic signals.