Physical Contact (PC) or Angled Physical Contact (APC) ferrule finishes significantly reduce what in connectors?

The correct choice of reflectance highlights a key aspect of fiber optic connector performance. PC and APC ferrule finishes are crucial in ensuring effective light transmission through optical fibers.

Reflectance, or the amount of light that is reflected back toward the source instead of passing through the connector, can lead to signal loss and degradation in performance. By employing physical contact finishes, where the fiber ends are polished to a specific angle or flatness, the connectors achieve a tighter mating surface. APC finishes, characterized by their angled polish, help to minimize the reflections even further compared to the traditional flat polish. This significantly reduces the chance of back reflections that can interfere with the signal integrity.

Conversely, the other options pertain to different aspects of fiber optic performance. Splice loss refers to the loss incurred when two fiber ends are joined together, which is distinct from connector reflectance. Attenuation is the loss of signal strength over distance and is influenced by cable properties rather than connector design alone. Connectorization involves the process of attaching connectors to fiber cables and does not directly relate to the reduction of reflectance. Thus, reflectance is the most directly impacted by the choice of ferrule finishes.