Optical data transmission at 44 terabits/s with a Kerr soliton crystal microcomb

Mengxi Tan, Bill Corcoran, Xingyuan Xu, Jiayang Wu, Andreas Boes, Thach G. Nguyen, Sai T. Chu, Brent E. Little, Roberto Morandotti, Arnan Mitchell, David J. Moss

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference PaperResearchpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We report world record high data transmission over standard optical fiber from a single optical source. We achieve a line rate of 44.2 Terabits per second (Tb/s) employing only the C-band at 1550nm, resulting in a spectral efficiency of 10.4 bits/s/Hz. We use a new and powerful class of micro-comb called soliton crystals that exhibit robust operation and stable generation as well as a high intrinsic efficiency that, together with an extremely low spacing of 48.9 GHz enables a very high coherent data modulation format of 64 QAM. We achieve error free transmission across 75 km of standard optical fiber in the lab and over a field trial with a metropolitan optical fiber network. This work demonstrates the ability of optical micro-combs to exceed other approaches in performance for the most demanding practical optical communications applications.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNext-Generation Optical Communication
Subtitle of host publicationComponents, Sub-Systems, and Systems X
EditorsGuifang Li, Kazuhide Nakajima
PublisherSPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering
Number of pages3
ISBN (Electronic)9781510642614
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021
EventNext-Generation Optical Communication: Components, Sub-Systems, and Systems X 2021 - Virtual, Online, United States of America
Duration: 6 Mar 202111 Mar 2021

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume11713
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceNext-Generation Optical Communication: Components, Sub-Systems, and Systems X 2021
Country/TerritoryUnited States of America
CityVirtual, Online
Period6/03/2111/03/21

Keywords

  • fiber optics
  • micro-ring resonators
  • microwave photonics
  • Optical data transmission
  • optical micro-combs

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