Millimeter waves for the last mile
The new modulator enables efficient and low-cost high-frequency microwaves transmission, covering the last mile with high data rates, and is compatible with 5G technology and future industry standards.
Fiber Optics
Articles tagged with Fiber Optics
New air-filled fiber bundle could make endoscopes smaller
Researchers have created a new air-filled optical fiber bundle that can improve endoscopes used in medical procedures like minimally invasive surgeries. The technology allows for higher resolution images at double the wavelength range, enabling diagnostic procedures not possible with current endoscope technology.
New technology to allow 100-times-faster internet
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a new nanophotonic device that can encode and process data using twisted light beams, increasing bandwidth by up to 100 times. This technology has the potential to revolutionize optical communications and quantum computing research.
Optoelectronic interface for stimulating neural networks in the brain
Researchers have developed an optoelectronic interface that uses fiber-optic channels to transmit signals from artificial neurons to live ones, providing galvanic isolation and adaptive stimulation capabilities. This system has been demonstrated effective in stimulating electrophysiological activity of neurons in a surviving section of...
Fiber optic sensor measures tiny magnetic fields
Researchers developed a light-based technique for measuring weak magnetic fields, like those from the brain. The sensors can detect the brain's magnetic field and have the potential to replace MRI machines, offering an alternative for real-time brain activity mapping.
Compact fiber laser may enable wearable tech and better endoscopes
Researchers developed a smart, flexible photoacoustic imaging technique using a compact fiber laser that may have potential applications in wearable devices, instrumentation, and medical diagnostics. The new technique provides better sensitivity than existing piezoelectric transducers for medical imaging.
Machine learning technique reconstructs images passing through a multimode fiber
Researchers use deep neural networks to recognize images transmitted over optical fibers, achieving high accuracy despite distortions caused by environmental factors. The technique has potential for improving endoscopic imaging in medical diagnosis and increasing the information-carrying capacity of fiber-optic telecommunication networks.
Optical fibers that can 'feel' the materials around them
Researchers at EPFL have developed a new method to identify the material surrounding an optical fiber by generating a sound wave within the fiber. This technique allows for non-invasive detection of changes in temperature and pressure, with potential applications in structures such as bridges and gas pipelines.
Study suggests buried Internet infrastructure at risk as sea levels rise
A new study suggests that thousands of miles of buried fiber optic cable in densely populated coastal regions may be inundated by rising seas within 15 years. The study found that over 4,000 miles of conduit will be underwater and 1,100 traffic hubs will be surrounded by water by 2033, potentially disrupting global communications.
Fiber-optic transmission of 4,000 km made possible by ultra-low-noise optical amplifiers
Researchers have demonstrated a record-breaking 4000 km fiber-optic transmission link using ultra low-noise phase-sensitive optical amplifiers, improving reach by almost six times conventional optical amplifiers. The technology has significant potential to enhance video streaming, cloud storage and online services.
A bright and vibrant future for seismology
Researchers at GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences have developed a new method using fiber-optic cables to detect earthquakes and other ground movements. The technique reveals structural features in the underground with unprecedented resolution, outperforming existing seismological networks worldwide.
Undersea fiber optics: A new way to detect quakes
Researchers have developed a new approach to detect quakes by measuring optical phase changes in oceanic fiber optic cables triggered by seismic waves. This method can effectively detect quake activity and parameters, even in regions where seismic monitoring has been limited.
Multiple lasers could be replaced by a single microcomb
A team of researchers at Chalmers University of Technology and Purdue University has developed a microcomb that can replace dozens of high-performance lasers, enabling faster and more power-efficient optical communication links. The technology uses a tiny optical cavity to generate sharp frequency lines, which have unique properties th...
Robotic assembly of the world's smallest house -- even a mite doesn't fit through the door!
A French nanorobotics team has successfully assembled the world's smallest house using a new microassembly system. The μRobotex nanofactory allows for precise control over nanostructures and optical fibers, enabling advanced sensing technologies and applications.
Researchers mimic comet moth's silk fibers to make 'air-conditioned' fabric
Columbia University researchers develop a method to spin artificial fibers that mimic the nanostructures and optical properties of comet moth cocoon fibers, achieving exceptional cooling abilities and reflectivity. The new fibers can block sunlight and guide light signals with high efficiency.
Demonstration of world record: 159 Tb/s transmission over 1,045 km with 3-mode fiber
Researchers from NICT and Fujikura successfully demonstrated a transmission experiment over 1045 km with a data-rate of 159 Tb/s using a 3-mode optical fiber. This achievement sets the world record for a standard outer diameter few-mode optical fiber, surpassing previous records by about twice.
Ultrathin endoscope captures neurons firing deep in the brain
Scientists have created an ultra-thin fiber-based endoscope that can image neurons firing in living mice, offering new insights into brain function. The device is five times thinner than the smallest commercially available microendoscopes and allows for deeper brain imaging without damaging tissue.
Researchers create microlaser that flies along hollow optical fiber
A particle-based laser was created to measure temperature changes along the length of an optical fiber, offering highly localized light delivery to remote locations. The flying microlaser can detect temperature changes of under 3 degrees Celsius with spatial resolution of a few millimeters.
Compact fiber optic sensor offers sensitive analysis in narrow spaces
The new sensor is designed to perform various chemical and biological analyses in small spaces with high sensitivity. It uses an S-taper configuration to detect changes in refractive index and measures concentration, pH, and other chemical parameters.
IBM reveals novel energy-saving optical receiver with a new record of rapid power-on/off time
The new optical receiver achieves an aggregate bandwidth of 160 Gb/s and features rapid power-on/off functionality, reducing energy consumption by up to 85%. This innovation is crucial for building faster and higher-performance computer systems while minimizing carbon dioxide emissions.
Researchers create fiber optic sensors that dissolve in the body
The new bioresorbable optical fiber Bragg gratings can be used to sense pressure at joints or act as tiny probes that can safely reach and assess the heart and other delicate organs. The sensors could also improve laser-based tumor removal techniques by delivering accurate real-time temperature sensing.
New use for telecommunications networks: Helping scientists peer into deep space
Researchers demonstrated reliable transmission of stable frequency references over 300km fiber optic networks, enabling synchronization of radio telescopes. This technology could benefit astronomy, particularly for the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), allowing scientists to access the frequency standard anywhere.
Ultra-thin optical fibers offer new way to 3-D print microstructures
The new technique enables the creation of microstructures with high resolution, potentially paving the way for endoscopic printing in people. Researchers are working to develop biocompatible photopolymers and a compact delivery system before the technique can be used clinically.
Dark fiber: Using sensors beneath our feet to tell us about earthquakes, water, and other geophysical activity
Scientists at Berkeley Lab successfully deploy dark fiber for seismic monitoring, detecting earthquakes and changes in permafrost conditions. The technique uses distributed acoustic sensing to measure seismic waves, providing comparable results to conventional seismometers.
Ultrasound imaging needle to transform heart surgery
Researchers have developed an optical ultrasound needle that provides unprecedented real-time imaging of soft tissues during keyhole procedures, reducing the risk of complications and improving surgical outcomes. The technology uses a miniature optical fibre to deliver light pulses, generating ultrasonic waves for image guidance.
Secure information transmission over 500m fiber links based on quantum technologies
Researchers at Tsinghua University and Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications have successfully demonstrated entanglement-based quantum secure direct communication (QSDC) over 500m optical fibers. The system uses novel fiber-based quantum light sources to generate polarization entangled Bell states, enabling secure informat...
Illuminated pajamas treat newborns
Researchers developed illuminated pajamas that emit therapeutic blue light directly onto a baby's skin, improving the treatment experience and reducing discomfort. The photonic textiles, woven into satin fabric, are breathable, comfortable, and suitable for everyday wear.
Dr. Peter J. Winzer of Nokia Bell Labs USA, awarded 2018 John Tyndall Award
Peter Winzer, a renowned expert in optical communication systems, has been awarded the 2018 John Tyndall Award by The Optical Society and the IEEE Photonics Society. His significant advancements involving modulation formats and spatial multiplexing have greatly expanded the field of optical communication systems.
In a first for wearable optics, researchers develop stretchy fiber to capture body motion
Scientists at Tsinghua University have developed a new type of optical fiber that can detect joint movements and other types of human motion with high accuracy. The flexible fiber, made from silicone, can withstand extreme stretching and bending without losing its sensing ability.
Researchers implement entanglement swapping with independent sources over 100km optical fiber
A team of scientists has demonstrated entanglement swapping with two independent sources 12.5 km apart using a 103-km optical fiber, increasing the experimental distance from metropolitan to inter-city levels.
The world-record 53.3 Tb/s optical switching capacity for data-center networks
NICT achieved a world record for 53.3 Tb/s optical switching capacity in short-reach data-center networks using SDM and a high-speed spatial optical switch system. This breakthrough enables significant network efficiency improvements and reduced end-to-end energy consumption per bit compared to existing technologies.
Light-based method improves practicality and quality of remote wind measurements
Researchers developed a Doppler LIDAR instrument for accurate remote wind measurements, offering high spatial and temporal resolutions. The system's simplified design enhances stability and reduces costs, making it suitable for real-time applications such as hurricane forecasting and aircraft safety.
Clamping down on causality by probing laser cavities
A collaboration between University of Central Florida and Yale has discovered novel optical behaviors in laser cavities, providing a unique window into fundamental physics. The research demonstrates the role of gain clamping in governing optical responses and reveals fundamental aspects of causality's limits.
Army researcher's paper named 'Editor's Pick' in journal Optics Letters
The study describes a method for measuring potential energy surfaces of atoms near optical nanofibers, facilitating quantum memories and components. It enables controlled interactions between lasers and atoms or materials, crucial for unconditionally secure communications and quantum computing.
Research into ultrafast laser technology could increase network speeds tenfold
A research team at the University of New Mexico is developing ultrafast laser transmitter technology that could send data at a speed of over 100 gigabits per second, ten times faster than current fiber optic networks. The goal is to enable high-speed communication in applications such as remote medical consultations and IoT connectivity.
Broadband light sources with liquid core
Researchers from Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology in Jena generate broadband light spectrum with solitons in the near-infrared range, exhibiting unique nonlinear optical effects and high transmission. The use of liquid core fibers enables a more stable alternative to traditional broadband light sources.
Researchers develop a novel type of optical fiber that preserves the properties of light
The new optical fiber has an extremely large core diameter and preserves both the distribution of light intensity in cross-section and polarization. This allows for single-mode operation with minimal energy transfer to other modes, reducing parasitic nonlinear effects.
New 3-D display takes the eye fatigue out of virtual reality
A new type of 3D display, mimicking the depth cues our eyes are accustomed to in the real-world, improves viewing comfort in VR headsets and AR glasses. The innovative display module, measuring only 1 x 2 inches, produces depth cues that create a unified 3D image, eliminating vergence-accommodation conflict.
Laser weapons could go from big screen to battlefield with engineers' help
Two Clemson University engineers, John Ballato and Lin Zhu, are receiving a combined $3.2 million from the Department of Defense to create high-energy lasers that can be used as weapons. The military has already deployed some lasers as defensive weapons to shoot down incoming missiles and drones.
Nano fiber feels forces and hears sounds made by cells
Engineers at UC San Diego developed a nano-sized optical fiber that can detect forces down to 160 femtonewtons and hear sounds down to -30 decibels, with applications in detecting bacteria, monitoring cellular behavior, and creating mini stethoscopes.
Scientists print nanoscale imaging probe onto tip of optical fiber
Researchers developed a high-throughput fabrication technique to print nanoscale imaging probes onto the tip of glass fibers, accelerating production from months to days. This enables the widespread adoption of nano-optical structures with potential applications in imaging, sensing, and spectroscopy.
New fiber-based sensor could quickly detect structural problems in bridges and dams
A newly developed fiber optic distributed sensor can detect changes in temperature or strain at 1 million points over a 10-kilometer optical fiber in under 20 minutes, improving early detection of structural issues. This faster technology has the potential to prevent failures and provide more time for evacuation.
New fiber optic probe brings endoscopic diagnosis of cancer closer to the clinic
Researchers have developed a handheld fiber optic probe that uses nonlinear imaging techniques to diagnose cancer without tissue staining. The probe can acquire multiple images simultaneously and has been tested on various tissue samples, showing promising results for identifying tumor borders.
Method improves semiconductor fiber optics, paves way for developing devices
Researchers have developed a new method to improve semiconductor fiber optics, which could revolutionize global data transmission. The approach, led by Xiaoyu Ji, reduces imperfections in the fiber core, allowing for more efficient light transmission.
Tiny sensor lays groundwork for precision X-rays detection via endoscopy
Researchers develop a tiny X-ray sensor integrated onto an optical fiber, enabling high-precision medical imaging and therapeutic applications. The sensor has a spatial resolution of around 1 micron, allowing for real-time measurement of radiation delivery to tumors via endoscopy.
Electro-optical switch transmits data at record-low temperatures
A silicon optical switch developed at Sandia National Laboratories can transmit up to 10 gigabits per second of data at temperatures near absolute zero. The device operates by using light traveling through an optical fiber, reducing heat and increasing efficiency.
UC researchers use gold coating to control luminescence of nanowires
Researchers at University of Cincinnati are developing novel nanowire semiconductors with organic material to transmit data with the speed of fiber optics. The successful harnessing of plasmon waveguiding could enable faster, cheaper, and more efficient electronics.
Plasmonic device offers broadband modulation to optical links at 100gbit/s
Researchers developed a microscale modulator using plasmonically active gold components, demonstrating fast operation for ultra-broadband signals. The device features compact size and significantly wide bandwidth, supporting higher volume of information flow.
Light beam replaces blood test during heart surgery
Researchers have developed a new technology using light to continuously monitor a surgical patient's blood, providing real-time status during life-and-death operations. This technology has the potential to replace the need for doctors to wait while blood is drawn and tested, potentially saving lives in intensive care settings.
Impossible (but working!) recipe for ultrashort laser pulses
Researchers from Warsaw Laser Centre generate high-energy ultrashort laser pulses in an optical fiber using a novel solution. The new method is stable and ideal for industrial applications, offering improved processing times.
Tiny fibers open new windows into the brain
Researchers have developed a single flexible fiber that can deliver optical, electrical, and chemical signals to the brain, enabling precise recordings of neuronal activity. This breakthrough could provide a significantly more accurate understanding of brain function and interconnections.
Research opens door to smaller, cheaper, more agile communications tech
The team's breakthrough enables an innovative approach to data processing and switching using magnetized liquid crystals and steerable light beams. This technology could lead to tiny components that process huge amounts of data, as well as compact and fast optical switches, routers and modulators.
Optimizing data center placement and network design to strengthen cloud computing
Researchers have developed a mathematical model that optimizes data center placement and network design for improved flow of internet traffic generated by cloud computing. The model utilizes distance-adaptive transmission technology, which can reduce bandwidth usage by up to 50%.
Terahertz wireless could make spaceborne satellite links as fast as fiber-optic links
Researchers at Hiroshima University have developed a terahertz transmitter capable of transmitting digital data at rates exceeding 100 gigabits per second. This breakthrough enables faster data transfer rates, making it suitable for applications such as satellite communications and ultrafast wireless links between base stations.
ORNL researchers break data transfer efficiency record
Researchers at ORNL have set a new record in superdense coding, transferring 1.67 bits per qubit over fiber optic cable. This achievement brings the technique one step closer to practical use and could lead to more efficient data transfer methods for applications like the Internet and cybersecurity.
Infrared links could simplify data center communications
Researchers propose eliminating most wires in data centers by using infrared free-space optics to transmit information. This technology enables fast data transfer rates with minimal interference and can accommodate thousands of servers on a single rack.
Making the switch to polarization diversity
Researchers develop integrated optical switch using polarization diversity, reducing size and cost of traditional switches. The new device features a single 8x8 grid with unique port assignments, allowing simultaneous management of both polarizations of light.
New discovery: Nanometric imprinting on fiber
Researchers at EPFL developed a simple technique for drawing nanometric patterns on hollow polymer fibers, overcoming previous limitations. The new method can create highly complex designs with feature sizes two orders of magnitude smaller than before, paving the way for various applications in biology, materials science, and beyond.
Magnifying time reveals fundamental rogue wave instabilities of nature
Scientists used a novel measurement technique to magnify time and study ultrafast intense pulses of light, confirming theoretical predictions. The technique has implications for understanding giant rogue waves on the ocean and extreme events in nature.
Ultra-high-speed optical fiber sensor enables detection of structural damage in real time
Researchers have developed an ultra-high-speed optical fiber sensor that can detect structural damage in real-time, with a sampling rate of up to 100 kHz. This breakthrough technology has the potential to monitor the health of various structures and applications in robotics.