Scientists Set New Data Speed Record using Single Laser

A team of scientists on 23 May 2011 set a new data speed record transmitting 26 terabits equivalent of 700 DVDs- per second using a single laser. According to this team, the discovery will help to fulfill the world’s burgeoning high-capacity bandwidth needs of cloud computing and 3D-high definition TV. It will also provide an environment friendly method of transmitting data over long distances.

The scientists used a single laser to generate 325 optical frequencies within a narrow spectral band of laser wavelengths and transmitted the data over 50 kilometres of single mode fibre.

Earlier in 2011, Scientists from Japan set a world record sending 109 terabits per second using multiple lasers. However, the date rate of 26 terabits per second achieved by the UK, Swiss and German scientists is the largest line rate ever recorded using a single light source.