Researchers Break Speed, Distance Limitations of Fiber -

Photonics researchers at the University of California, San Diego have broken through key barriers limiting the speed and distance applications of fiber optic cable. The researchers have developed wideband "frequency combs" used to synchronize the frequency variations of the different streams of optical information.

They then successfully deciphered information after it travelled a record-breaking 12,000 kilometers through fiber optic cables with traditional amplifiers and no repeaters.

"Today s fiber optic systems are a little like quicksand," states researcher Nikola Alic. "With quicksand, the more you struggle, the faster you sink. With fiber optics, after a certain point, the more power you add to the signal, the more distortion you get, in effect preventing a longer reach."

Alic notes that their new approach removes this current power limit, by proxy extending how far signals can travel along fiber optic cable without need for a repeater.
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