Austrian researchers have learned how to transmit data through the air using swirling beams of light

Here is the transfer

Austrian physicists have been able to use the technology of "twisting" laser beams to transmit data through the air. Previously, these same researchers have achieved a channel capacity of 2.5 Tbps using twisted laser beams in optical fiber.

Now the same technology has been used to transmit data without fiber over the air. These (portraits in shades of gray) were sent to a distance of about 3 kilometers, the transmission took place with the help of laser beams over the roofs of Vienna.
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The transmission was carried out from the radar tower of the Institute of Meteorology and Geodynamics of Vienna, and a signal was received by the receiver installed on the roof of the campus of the Vienna University. In the course of the transfer, 16 kinds of twisted beams were sent. In order to remove the influence of the atmosphere on the correctness of data transmission, special software was used to filter out the interference.

In total, three portraits were transmitted: the famous composer Mozart, as well as the physicists Boltzmann and Schrödinger. As for the swirling laser beam, this is a wave with a twisted front. By this, a similar light source differs from a point source, where the front is represented by a sphere.



According to scientists, with the help of swirling beams of light, you can transmit a large amount of information with great speed. Previously, as already mentioned, the experts managed to transfer data at a speed of 2.5 Tbit / s over fiber. Data transmission over the air may be necessary when working with orbital stations or remote objects that are within the line of sight.



Detailed results of the work of scientists are presented in the article Nature Photonics .