EU researchers to improve data transmission

EU researchers to improve data transmission
As part of the EU-funded project PHASORS ("Phase sensitive amplifier systems and optical regenerators and their applications") researchers have developed two new components that enable the data transmission in fiber optic networks can be significantly improved. The results presented there and the way the multinational team from Denmark, Greece, Great Britain, Ireland, Japan, Sweden and Switzerland in front of a paid article in the journal Nature Photonics.
Optical data transmission Phase noise is a problem with the optical data transmission. Image: PHASORS When it comes to optical amplifier, low noise, an important research goal. If we make progress here, can benefit many applications - for example, optical communication (optical fiber or free space), optical spectroscopy and sensor technology or photon detection. With the currently used techniques, such as the use of EDFA devices (Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier), the so-called phase noise limits the data transmission over one optical networks: fast, short-term changes in the phase of a signal affect the quality of the transmitted information. This leads to error messages and a "cross talk" that occurs when the signal interacts with other signals at different wavelengths.
In its work, the researchers concluded that their goal of low noise optical amplification with the now usual linear approach for common applications can not be achieved. Therefore, they focused on phase-sensitive amplifier (PSA - Phase Sensitive Amplifier), which have long been known that they provide a practical, deterministic, low-noise amplification.
They have set an extremely low-noise optical amplifiers developed, through which they could reach the noise figure of 1 dB - common EDFA devices here reach values ​​of 3 to 6 dB (less is better). The second component was an optical regenerative subsystem, which eliminates interference binärphasen-coded signals, without having to go for the time-consuming detour through the conversion into electrical signals.
"This is the ultimate in optical amplifiers. This allows cities, countries and continents are linked much more efficiently, where the hubs would lie with the amplifiers much further apart. The signal can be modulated more effectively. In addition, the amplifier is compatible with any modulation format with conventional laser transmitters, and can be very broadband, so it is compatible with many lasers with different wavelengths, "says one of the authors of the study, Professor Peter Andrekson by the Swedish Chalmers University of Technology. According to the researchers, these results can zoom in optical communication systems, the available capacity or increase the range of signals in fiber optic networks, for example, from 1000 to 4000 km. In addition, scientists see possibilities in a number of different areas such as in optical sensor technology and meteorology.