Use of polarization freedom beyond polarization-division multiplexing to support high-speed and spectral-efficient data transmission

摘要

A scheme for manipulating four linearly polarized data channels down existing fibre optic cables has been developed by researchers in China. Polarization-division multiplexing uses the polarization of light waves to differentiate multiple data streams travelling through a single-mode fibre. Lian-Shan Yan and co-workers from Southwest Jiaotong University have now found a way to accommodate more polarization states at a single wavelength, boosting the potential capacity of data networks. The team implemented a setup that multiplexes four signals having separate 0°, 30°, 90° and 120° polarizations using an optical controller. After transmission, the received signal is analyzed by coherent detectors aligned to the original polarization states, and demultiplexing algorithms. This strategy enabled data to be transferred at 100 Gb s-1 through a 150-km single-mode fibre.