The photonics behind Nokia's submarine optical transmission records: Nokia Bell Labs set transoceanic optical speed and throughput records last year. Research engineer Sylvain Almonacil discusses the optical components involved.

Nokia Bell Labs set two world records in submarine optical transmission, achieving an 800Gb/s data rate at a distance of 7,865km using a single wavelength of light, and establishing a net throughput of 41Tb/s over 291km via a C-band unrepeated transmission system. These records were made possible by higher-baud-rate technologies, which increase data throughput and allow for the transmission of higher capacities over greater distances. The development of lasers that "blink" faster, achieved through external modulation using high-bandwidth electro-optical components, played a key role in these achievements. The next milestone in submarine transmissions is the demonstration of 1.6Tb/s transmission with a single laser, which will require higher-bandwidth electronics and optical components. Nokia Bell Labs is also exploring multi-fiber, multi-mode, and multi-core technologies to unlock even greater levels of capacity in optical networks. In the field of quantum computing, UK firm Nu Quantum is developing a scalable quantum networking infrastructure to enable the scaling of quantum computers. Photonic, based in Vancouver, is working on photonically linked silicon spin qubits for quantum computing and networking platforms, with the goal of reliable quantum communications over long distances. [Extracted from the article]