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Spreading high-speed Internet to rural areas

A new device using a Raman amplifier has successfully transmitted data over 37 miles of single-mode fiber, error-free, at a speed of 2.5 Gb/s. This technology could provide high-speed Internet to 99% of Australians living in Victoria, closing the digital divide.

SourceOptica·DateMar 16, 2009

Engineers ride 'rogue' laser waves to build better light sources

Engineers at UCLA have successfully harnessed 'rogue' laser waves to produce brighter, more stable white light sources. The new technology reduces fluctuations by at least 90% and decreases energy needed by 25%. This breakthrough could pave the way for better clocks, faster cameras, and more powerful radar and communications technologies.

SourceOptica·DateMar 5, 2009

De-multiplexing to the max: 640 Gbits/second

Scientists from Denmark and Australia have established an error-free speed-reading record using a compact ultra-fast component, reaching 640 Gbps. The new technology allows for faster network speeds and opens the door to even higher data rates approaching terabits/second.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateFeb 2, 2009

Silicon optical fiber made practical

Researchers at Clemson University have successfully created a practical silicon optical fiber using standard mass-production methods. The development of this new fiber is expected to increase efficiency and decrease power consumption in computers and other systems that integrate photonic and electronic devices.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateOct 28, 2008

OSU technologies funded for development

Four faculty research projects at Oklahoma State University have been awarded funding from the Technology Business Assessment Group, totaling over $102,000. The projects focus on developing innovative products and technologies, including a 3D human tissue model, fiber optic sensor, data protection software, and recycled rubber composites.

Single-crystal semiconductor wire built into an optical fiber

A team from Penn State University and the University of Southampton created a single-crystal semiconductor inside an optical fiber, overcoming performance degradation between fibers and devices. The new device enables faster and more efficient electronic signals, opening up potential for next-level applications in various fields.

SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMar 12, 2008

Discovery cuts cost of next generation optical fibers

Scientists have developed a new method to produce hollow-core optical fibres, which could lead to faster and more powerful computing and telecommunications technologies. The breakthrough reduces production time from around a week to just one day, making the fibre superior in virtually every respect to previous versions.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalOptics Express·DateJan 17, 2008

Atomic clock signals may be best shared by fiber-optics

Researchers at JILA propose using fibers to transfer ultra-stable time and frequency signals, offering improved accuracy over traditional GPS methods. This technology could enable synchronization of components in advanced X-ray sources and link geographically distributed radio telescopes to produce a giant telescope's power.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateMar 2, 2007

On airplanes, fiber optics poised to reach new heights

Researchers have invented an optical on-off switch that can replace electrical wiring on airplanes with fiber optics for controlling elevators, rudders, and other flight-critical elements. This technology also has potential applications on highways as a 'weigh-in-motion' sensor for measuring the weight of fast-moving commercial trucks.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateSep 18, 2006

New process builds electronic function into optical fiber

A team from Penn State University and the University of Southampton has developed a new way to combine semiconductor devices with microstructured optical fibers. The resulting ability to generate and manipulate signals inside optical fibers could have applications in fields such as medicine, computing, and remote sensing devices.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience·DateMar 16, 2006

January 2005 Ophthalmology Journal

The January 2005 issue of the American Academy of Ophthalmology's Journal features various studies on glaucoma, including the restoration of retinal ganglion cell function in early glaucoma after intraocular pressure reduction. Other topics include LASIK surgery and its effects on myopia, as well as a study on familial aggregation of h...

SourceAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology·JournalOphthalmology·DateJan 7, 2005

New fiber optic sensors increase range

Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed new fiber optic sensors using UV-induced intrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometers, increasing the range and enabling real-time monitoring of large areas. The technology has the potential to create a nationwide network of sensors for infrastructure monitoring with improved multiplexing capability.

Doped liquid crystals allow real time holography

Researchers have developed doped liquid crystals that allow for real-time holography with significantly improved optical properties. These materials can be used in various applications, including focusing optical telescopes and creating real-time holographic movies, due to their high sensitivity to light.

SourcePenn State·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateOct 21, 2003

U of T research holds promise for optical chip

Researchers at University of Toronto have developed a material that converts electrical current into photons, holding promise for directly linking computers with networks transmitting information in light. The study demonstrates the conversion of electrical current into light using a promising class of nanocrystals, paving the way for ...

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateApr 28, 2003

Engineers take new look at strength of industrial glass

Researchers have improved a method for measuring the strength of E-glass and other glass fibers, revealing it may be more than one and a half times stronger than previously recorded measurements. This discovery could help expand applications for glass fibers in industries such as automotive manufacturing.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Non-Crystalline Solids·DateFeb 25, 2003

Hiding in the noise and chaos

Scientists at ONR have created a novel technique to hide information within the naturally occurring fluctuations of light polarization in optical fibers. The signal is modulated onto these variations, making it nearly impossible for unauthorized parties to intercept and decode the message.

New focus award finalists announced

The New Focus Student Awards recognize groundbreaking research by six finalists, including Seth Aubin's work on francium trapping, E. Staffan Björlin's vertical-cavity semiconductor optical amplifiers, and Michael J. Escuti's switchable mesoscale lattices in liquid crystal polymer dispersions.

SourceOptica·DateApr 25, 2002

Smart masts for intelligent yachts

Engineers at Smart Fibres Ltd developed a smart mast that uses 'Bragg grating' strain sensor technology to monitor stresses and strains in composite materials. The technology has the potential for use in various industries, including aerospace and civil engineering.

Scientists Show How Defects Can Improve Technology In Science Magazine's Special Issue On Materials Science

Scientists discover that adding defects to materials can enhance their performance in semiconductor devices, leading to breakthroughs in information technology, high-speed communications, and the development of new LED technologies. Researchers are also exploring ways to exploit defects in optical fibers to increase bandwidth capacities.

Smart Concrete May Mean Less Road Closures

Researchers at U of T's Institute for Aerospace Studies have developed a smart structure on the Leslie Street bridge, lining columns with fibre-optic sensors and wrapping them with lightweight synthetic materials. The sensors precisely measure corrosion and hold the structure together, reducing road maintenance and closures.

Columbia-SUNY Team Slices Magnetic Crystal; Applications Seen For Miniaturized Optical Devices

Researchers at Columbia University have developed a technology that combines electronics and optics on a single chip, enabling the creation of miniaturized optical devices such as tiny lasers and implantable medical sensors. This breakthrough could simplify fiber optic communications and lead to more efficient and cost-effective systems.

SourceColumbia University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateNov 12, 1997

Liquid Crystal Fibers Provide Optical Protection

A Penn State engineer has developed liquid crystal fibers that can automatically prevent overload and protect optical sensors from laser damage. The fibers absorb all colors of light and react non-linearly to intensity, allowing low levels of laser light to pass through.