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Toslink Cable and Mini-Toslink 3.5 mm
TOSLINK
may use inexpensive 1 mm plastic optical fiber, or it can use higher quality multistrand plastic optical fibers or even quartz glass optical fibers, depending on the desired bandwidth and application. TOSLINK cables are usually limited to 5 meters in length, with a technical maximum of 10 meters, for reliable transmission without the use of a signal booster. However, it is very common for interfaces on newer consumer electronics (satellite receivers and PCs with optical outputs) to easily run over 30 meters on even low-cost ($0.75/m) TOSLINK cables. TOSLINK transmitters operate at a nominal optical wavelength of 650nm(~461.2 THz).
Mini-TOSLINK
is a standardized optical fiber connection system, most common in consumer audio equipment. Many notebook computers have combination Headphone/TOSLINK outputs and microphone/ or line-in/TOSLINK inputs using Mini-TOSLINK. The connector looks like a mini stereo jack except the tip has a fiber connection.
Mini-TOSLINK jacks are commonly found on Apple computers and portable MiniDisc players. These provide the same capabilities but are almost exactly the same size and shape as the ubiquitous 3.5 mm stereo minijack (they are 0.5mm longer to prevent an analog plug from contacting the LED). Adapters are available to connect a TOSLINK cable to a Mini-TOSLINK jack.
Optical cables like TOSLINK are not susceptible to ground loops and RF interference like electrical cables.
Source: Wikipedia
