In a groundbreaking achievement, an international team of researchers from Australia, Japan, the Netherlands, and Italy has shattered the world speed record for an industry-standard optical fiber. With their remarkable creation, they achieved an astounding speed of 1.7 Petabits over a 67km length of fiber—equivalent to the combined speed of a staggering 17 million NBN broadband internet connections! What's more, this fiber, consisting of 19 cores capable of carrying signals, adheres to global standards, ensuring seamless adoption without the need for massive infrastructure overhauls. Additionally, its design reduces the reliance on digital processing, significantly minimizing the power required per transmitted bit.

Figure 1. Fiber Optics.

Figure 1 shows Fiber optics. At the forefront of this groundbreaking development is Macquarie University, where researchers devised a vital component: a cutting-edge glass chip. This compact glass chip, crafted using 3D laser printing technology, incorporates a waveguide pattern etched into it, enabling the simultaneous feeding of signals into all 19 individual cores of the fiber with minimal losses. Unlike other approaches limited in core count and plagued by substantial light loss, this innovative chip ensures the transmission system operates with unparalleled efficiency. Dr. Simon Gross from Macquarie University's School of Engineering explains the significance, stating, "It's been exciting to collaborate with Japanese leaders in optical fiber technology. I anticipate that within the next five to ten years, we'll witness the integration of this technology into subsea cables."

However, the implications of this optical fiber breakthrough extend far beyond data transmission. Professor Michael Withford, another esteemed researcher from Macquarie University's School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, emphasizes the wide-ranging applications of the underlying patented technology. He asserts, "The optical chip builds upon decades of optical research conducted at Macquarie University. The patented technology behind it holds immense potential in diverse fields, from identifying exoplanets orbiting distant stars to disease detection and even identifying damages in sewage pipes."

This remarkable fiber was jointly developed by the Japanese National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT, Japan) and Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. (SEI, Japan). Collaborative efforts with the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, the University of L'Aquila in Italy, and Macquarie University in Sydney were instrumental in achieving this unprecedented milestone. With this incredible breakthrough, the team paves the way for a future where data transmission reaches unparalleled speeds, transforming various industries and enabling remarkable technological advancements.

Source: Macquarie University

Cite this article:

Hana M (2023), New Optical Fiber Shatters World Speed Record, AnaTechMaz, pp. 117.