2024-04-01 23:06:58
An international team of researchers from the United Kingdom, the United States and Japan has just established a new speed record for optical fiber. Using a single optical fiber, scientists were able to achieve an impressive speed of 301 terabits per second (Tbps). This is equivalent to 301,000 times the maximum throughput of the gigabit network port on most computers.
Those who follow the news might be surprised by this record, since last December a Japanese team set a new, much higher record, reaching 22.9 petabits per second (Pbps), or 22,900 Tbps. However, this feat was achieved using a special cable containing 38 cores and equipment that is impossible to integrate into today’s networks. This new record of 301 Tbps, less sensational but equally impressive, was established using standard optical fiber, such as that used for a home connection.
A technology that can be integrated into current optical networks
The researchers achieved this throughput by relying on the usually unexploited E and S optical wavelength bands. Conventional systems use the C and L bands, optical wavelengths of 1,530 to 1,625 nanometers. With these two new bands, the usable wavelength starts at 1,360 nanometers. This required the design of new amplifiers and optical gain equalizers.
This advancement represents an affordable way to significantly increase the bandwidth of existing optical networks, avoiding the need to replace already installed fibers. The researchers presented their work at the European Conference on Optical Communications (Ecoc) and published details of their research in the journal Optics Letters.
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