World’s first digital laser unveiled in South Africa

[Fletcher]

This is a very welcome piece of news for us, this new laser can apparently drastically increase the bandwidth of data than can be sent in fibre optic cables, making them far more efficient and hopefully more cost effective since less needs to be laid.

Link to article

The video associated with this link gives a lot more information than posted, I can't link it directly here.

1 October 2013 Last updated at 00:24 BST

Researchers at South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have unveiled the world's first digital laser.

The innovation is regarded as a milestone in laser technology and could spur future laser-related developments.

CSIR researcher Sandile Ngcobo conducted the breakthrough experimental work as part of his PhD studies.

The laser will allow the scientists to digitally control laser beams and shape new ways of developing technology that will improve various aspects of everyday such as faster broadband and medical advancements.

Mike Wooldridge reports from Pretoria.

More bandwidth! Give me fibre optics!

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[SMGSterlin]

Wouldn't a laser have to work in a straight line between point A and B?

How would that work?

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[Fletcher]

Wouldn't a laser have to work in a straight line between point A and B?

How would that work?

Watch the video, they put LCD screens on the ends of the cables, and they can project patterns down the line where I think it was more like on or off. Meaning if the monitors project a pattern down the line, that is a lot more information in one set of transmissions.

I don't have any numbers on me, but it is a very good practical innovation.

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"Oh chuffing blimey, another day, another person being whiney!"
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[KaiserDietz]

Wouldn't a laser have to work in a straight line between point A and B?

How would that work?

Fiber optic cables work on a principle called total internal reflection. Like light refracting through water, if the angle in which laser is shone into a cable is small enough, it will reflect back instead of going through the other side. that way the laser will keep reflecting to its destination, regardless of whether the cable is bent.

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