Researchers from Eindhoven University of Technology in The Netherlands and the University of Central Florida in the U.S, claim to have successfully transmitted data at a rate of 255 terabits per second over a new type of optical fiber glass material.

This new type of fiber material has the capacity to transmit 21 times more data than those used in today's current communication networks.

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Fiber optics uses transparent fiber made from glass (silica) or plastic. It uses 'light' to transmit data from one end to another.

The research led by assistant professor Chigo Okonkwo of Eindhoven University's Electro-Optical Communications research group (ECO) aims to increase data transmission capacity.

The new type of fiber allows light to travel on seven different cores instead of only one. This compares to travelling a seven-lane highway compared to a one-way road.

Researchers claim the new fiber may help fill the current demand for faster information transmission over the Internet.

"At less than 200 microns in diameter, this fiber does not take noticeably more space than conventional fibers already deployed." said Okonkwo.

"These remarkable results, supported by the European Union Framework 7, MODEGAP, definitely give the possibility to achieve Petabits/s transmission, which is the focus of the European Commission in the coming 7 year Horizon 2020 research program."

"The result also shows the key importance of the research carried out in Europe, and in particular at TU/e with other well-known teams around the world in high-capacity optical transmission systems." Okonkwo added.

To increase transmission capacity in fiber optics, engineers normally increase the power of signals of the glass material in fiber by preventing the glass from losing data.

Typical approaches, however, result in undesirable photonic nonlinear effects that restrict the volume of data recovery.

Tagsfiber optics, Data Transmission, Eindhoven University of Technology, TU/e, University of Central Florida, CREOL, The Netherlands, U.S., 255 Terabits/s, Glass Silica, Electro-Optical Communications, ECO, European Union Framework 7, MODEGAP