A research team has developed a light beam device that could lead to faster internet, clearer images of space and more detailed medical imaging.
University of Queensland researcher and optical engineer Dr Joel Carpenter worked with Nokia Bell Labs to build the device to tackle the challenge of splitting light into the shapes it is made up of, known as modes.
“Splitting a beam of light into colours is easy because nature gives you that one for free – think of rainbows or when light shines through glass at an angle,” Dr Carpenter said.
“The mode sorter splits a light beam into modes, instead of pixels like a camera would, and this results in higher-quality imaging and communication.
“Our device performs a basic operation in physics, so it seemed a little strange to us that something like this did not already exist, as this topic had been investigated around the world for about 25 years.”
Study co-author Nicolas Fontaine of Nokia Bell Labs said the device could bring a number of benefits.
“Each of these modes can be its own independent channel of information, and with this device we can pack hundreds of modes into a single optical fibre,” Dr Fontaine said.
“This can greatly increase the amount of information that can travel through that fibre, leading to faster internet speeds for more people.
“We hope this device will aid many applications that work with light beams, due to its functionality and the relative simplicity with which it can be built.”
Dr Carpenter said the mode sorter could improve imaging quality, from small biomedical images to large astronomical images.
“Just as an image can be made by adding a bunch of pixels together, we can make an image or beam by adding together a bunch of these modes,” he said.
“Some things are easier to detect if you look at the modes rather than pixels, because it is displaying the image in a different form.
“For example, modes could make it easier to detect an image of a planet orbiting a far-away star.”
Learn more: Bring on faster internet: device packs more into optical fibre
The Latest on: Light beam device
[google_news title=”” keyword=”light beam device” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Light beam device
- Stanford tech may help the transition from Vision Pro to Apple Glasseson May 10, 2024 at 4:50 am
While an expensive, bulky Vision Pro headset undoubtedly has its place for some, Apple’s longer-term goal is believed to ...
- Good Vibrations: New Tech May Lead to Smaller, More Powerful Wireless Deviceson May 9, 2024 at 4:59 pm
A new class of synthetic materials could herald the next revolution of wireless technologies, enabling devices to be smaller ... While photonics takes advantage of photons – or light – phononics does ...
- New phononics materials may lead to smaller, more powerful wireless deviceson May 9, 2024 at 2:23 pm
What if your earbuds could do everything your smartphone can do already, except better? What sounds a bit like science fiction may actually not be so far off. A new class of synthetic materials could ...
- Researchers harness blurred light to 3D-print high-quality optical componentson May 9, 2024 at 7:00 am
Canadian researchers have developed a new 3D printing method called blurred tomography that can rapidly produce microlenses with commercial-level optical quality. The new method may make it easier and ...
- How We Got The Scanning Electron Microscopeon May 8, 2024 at 7:00 pm
According to [Asianometry], no one believed in the scanning electron microscope. No one, that is, except [Charles Oatley].The video below tells the whole story. The Cambridge graduate built radios ...
- Photonic devices articles from across Nature Portfolioon May 7, 2024 at 5:00 pm
This can include laser diodes, light-emitting diodes, solar and photovoltaic cells, displays and optical amplifiers. Other examples are devices for modulating a beam of light and for combining and ...
- Ask A Cop: Answers about the rules for auxiliary lightson May 6, 2024 at 2:00 pm
Sgt. Philip Eckerberg, of the Scottsbluff Police Department, answers questions submitted by readers each week. To submit a question for consideration, email [email protected].
- Double-Beam Spectrophotometerson May 1, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Once submitted, we will try and place you in contact with a suitable Double-Beam Spectrophotometers supplier within 48 hours.
- Indian medical sector works to strengthen capabilities in laser-based imaging deviceson April 29, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Indian medical sector works to strengthen capabilities in laser-based imaging devices: Nandita Vijayasimha, Bengaluru Tuesday, April 30, 2024, 08:00 Hrs [IST] Indian medical secto ...
- Florida teen arrested after pointing laser light at helicopter 'because he was bored'on April 19, 2024 at 11:02 am
He was arrested and charged with felony misuse of a laser lighting device and taken to the ... or focuses the beam of a laser light toward an individual operating a motor vehicle, vessel, or ...
via Bing News