In the new hollow fiber, the signal is amplified with air

Scientists have developed technology that allows air to be used to amplify light in new sweat optical fibers.

Modern optical fiber usually hasa durable glass core in which the light loses half its intensity after 15 km of propagation  and after 300 km – it is almost impossible to detect anymore. Therefore, the signal must be amplified regularly.

A team of researchers from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne has developed a new type of optical fiber with a hollow core filled with air. Because ofa lower density of gas, the light in it travels much better and weakens more slowly, but at the same time it becomes harder to influence it.

To solve this problem, scientists have increasedair pressure inside the optical fiber. By controlling the level of resistance, they were able to create evenly spaced clusters of compressed gas molecules to generate a sound wave that increases in amplitude and efficiently scatters light from the source towards the attenuated beam, amplifying it up to 100,000 times.

According to the developers, this technology is applicablefor any type of light and gas. The solution can also be used to measure temperature anywhere on the fiber, allowing fires to be detected quickly. The ability to control and delay light in the fiber by a microsecond also allows it to be used to create temporary optical memory.

In addition to new solutions for acceleration, scientists are also experimenting with materials. Previously, researchers have made optical fibers from algae and even cellulose.

text: Ilya Bauer, photo and video: EPFL