NTT, Fujikura and Hokkaido University have demonstrated the world’s highest density optical fiber using a deployable optical fiber diameter of less than 250 µm. This optical fiber contains 19 optical paths (cores) that can support six kinds of optical signals (modes), and it provides 114 (= 6 modes × 19 cores) spatially multiplexed communication paths (channels) in one optical fiber. NTT has investigated and experimentally confirmed that an optical fiber with a glass diameter of less than 250 µm can be used for over 20 years if an allowable bending radius of 15 – 30 mm is assumed considering actual deployment conditions in the terrestrial optical network.
A glass diameter of less than 250 µm makes it possible to ensure that optical fiber has sufficient reliability (i.e. bendable fiber that does not break). Accommodating 114 channels in one optical fiber enables to transfer thousands of HDTV videos per second. The achievement indicates the reality of ultra-large capacity optical fiber that can handle a Peta- to Exa-bit transmission capacity.
Source: fareastgizmos.com
