Researchers at McGill University and Ericsson Canada have shown optical communication using standard chip technology and data encoding algorithms. The new system, which has a CMOS-compatible silicon photonic modulator and a data transmission rate of up to 1 terabit per second (1 Tbit/s), supports the 800 gigabits per second (800 Gbits/s) transmission rate, which is likely to be the next telecommunication system standard. The modulator is optimized to operate in the standard C-band spectrum, between 1530 and 1565 nanometers (nm).
This new device employs new light waves known as surface plasmon polaritons to modulate and control optical signals, thereby facilitating much faster and efficient data transmission by setting new records in converting electrical signals into optical signals. In the past, the frequency conversion capability of modulators was 100 to 200 gigahertz, roughly 5 to 10 times lower than the capability of this new modulator.
These devices find their use in systems where there is transfer of huge amounts of information, as a critical interface between optical and electrical information transfer. The future of wireless communication, better known as 6G, is likely to be in the terahertz frequency band, and its structure will be relying heavily upon the use of fiber optic cables for interconnecting base stations.
With the increase of communication frequency, terahertz communication technology has been an important research field. The terahertz modulator performance depends on the modulators characterizations of the THz(Terahertz) modulator. The researchers are working on the working principles such as electrical, optical, optoelectric, thermal, magnetic, and programmable materials for the modulator.
This device can convert electrical systems into optical systems at the speed of more that a trillion oscillations per second. The research team from ETH Zurich, one of the world leading universities in science and technology, believes the achievement marks a significant leap in high-speed data transfer.
Related Stories:
https://www.photonics.com/Articles/Modulator_Drives_Record-Fast_Transmission_in_Face/a69097
https://interestingengineering.com/energy/worlds-fastest-modulator-terahertz-speed
