The breakthrough here comes from wideband "frequency combs" that keeps signal distortions predictable (and thus reversible) and the end of the line -- and it means the capacity of the world's fiber optic networks could gain a very a substantial boost. The Qualcomm Institute's Nikola Alic, a lead author on the paper, called current fiber optic systems "a little like quicksand... the more you struggle, the faster you sink."

"The more power you add to the signal, the more distortion you get, in effect preventing a longer reach. Our approach removes this power limit, which in turn extends how far signals can travel in optical fiber without needing a repeater." Electronic repeaters are an expensive way of keeping a signal going, but don't solve the issues of signal distortion. These experimental "frequency combs" could do exactly that.

[Image credit: jah~/Flickr]