City College of New York researchers have manipulated the polarization of a laser beam to create shapes that could boost data transmission rates:
Using special devices called "q-plates," the researchers manipulated a laser beam's polarization into novel shapes some of which Milione referred to as "radial" and "azimuthal." "While light's polarization (linear and circular) is used for many modern technologies, such as, 3D television, its shape is often left untouched," he said.
The researchers showed that each shape could carry an additional data stream. While the researchers used only four shapes, in principal, the number that can be used is unlimited. "The amount of data that can be transmitted on a single laser beam can be scaled to terabits or even petabits," said Alfano. "This technology is potentially compatible with building to building communication in NYC or even between Google data centers."
The research is published in Optics Letters [abstract].
(Score: 2) by urza9814 on Tuesday April 28 2015, @02:49PM
That seems to kinda be the general idea as I understand it. Except they're not shaping the signal, they're shaping the *photons*.
Think of a single photon of light like a round plastic bead. Standard polarization would be like taking a belt sander to that bead, turning it into a flat circle. These guys are taking an exacto knife and actually carving shapes into the beads instead.
That's my understanding of this anyway...someone please correct me if I'm wrong :)