OpticalNetworking
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Fujitsu's quantum dot laser fires data at 25Gbps, not just for show
Fujitsu just announced what's reportedly the world's first quantum dot laser capable of 25 gigabits per second of data transmission. Go on -- there's no need to hold your applause. Now, we've seen lasers beam packets at 1.2 terabits per second over miles of open ground, and up to 15.5Tbps through a fat optical pipe, so why would a measly 25Gbps attract our attention? Only because we hear that the IEEE is hoping to create a 100Gbps ethernet standard by 2010 (that's now!) and four of Fujitsu's new nanocrystal lasers bundled together just so happen to fulfill that requirement. It also doesn't hurt that the company's quantum dot solution reportedly uses less electricity than the competition, and that Fujitsu has a spin-off firm -- QD Laser -- champing at the bit to commercialize the technology. All in all, this tech seems like it might actually take off... assuming early adopters are more successful than major corporations at deploying the requisite fiber. Either that, or we'll just enjoy some seriously speedy displays and external drives, both of which sound downright delightful in their own right.
Chinese scientists demonstrate 2Mbps internet connection over LED
LED data transmission used to be all the rage -- we fondly remember beaming Palm Pilot contacts via IrDA. Then we got omni-directional Bluetooth and building-penetrating WiFi, and put all that caveman stuff behind us. But now, scientists the world over are looking to bring back line-of-sight networking, and the latest demonstration has Chinese researchers streaming video to a laptop with naught but ceiling-mounted blue LEDs. The Chinese Academy of Sciences claims to have realized a 2Mbit per second internet connection that transmits data simply by modulating the flicker of the little diodes, and imperceptibly enough to have them serve as room lighting as well. Like Boston University before them, the Chinese scholars see short-range LED networks controlling smart appliances. It's not quite the gigabit speed you'd get from laser diodes, but this way you'll get more mileage out of those expensive new bulbs, eh?
Fujitsu spins off quantum dot laser firm QD Laser
More exciting news from the world of venture capital: following Philips' announcement yesterday of a VC-funded spinoff to develop thin Electrowetting displays, Fujitsu has announced that it's launching its own new subsidiary with the help of Japanese general trading company Mitsui Ventures. Tasked with commercializing nascent quantum dot laser technology, the creatively-titled QD Laser Inc. will leverage quantum dot semiconductor crystallization techniques and laser design processes developed by Fujitsu to enter the optical LAN market. Quantum dot lasers offer superior networking benefits to conventional semiconductor lasers due to their higher speeds, lower power consumption, and ability to operate in a greater range of temperatures.
