Why is it difficult?

Optical fiber has reached fundamental limitations on how much data we can transmit over the link. Traditional techniques for increasing the data rates by using higher bandwidth and multiple parallel fibers are not very scalable because of the limited availability of spectrum and high-power connectors at the end of optical cables. Can we explore new dimensions to improve fiber capacity? In this direction, optical angular momentum or twisted light is an interesting perspective, but it does not solve the fundamental cost problems of getting onto and off the fiber. Moreover, the actual data rate is limited by the speed of light that is lower in a glass medium compared to a vacuum. One direction of research is to find ways to accelerate the speed of light in such a medium that will improve fiber’s capacity.

What is the impact?

Finding new ways to improve optical fiber link capacity is a sustainable way to meet the increasing demand for high data-rates links.