The world record for the most stable transmission of a laser signal through the atmosphere has been broken.
Scientists from the International Center for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) and the University of Western Australia (UWA) broke the record using ‘phase stabilization’ technology along with advanced optical terminals for self-conduction.
“We can correct for atmospheric turbulence in 3D, that is, left-right, upward and critical according to the flight,” said Benjamin Dix-Matthews, a PhD student at ICRAR and UWA.
“It allows us to send highly stable laser signals through the atmosphere while maintaining the quality of the original signal,” Matthews continued, adding that it was “as if the moving atmosphere had been removed and did not exist.”
This development means that laser signals can be transmitted from one point to another without atmospheric interference, which means that more data is transmitted between satellites and the earth with more efficiency than can currently be achieved.
“Our technology can help us increase the data rate of satellites to Earth in order of magnitude,” said Dr. Sascha Schediwy, senior researcher at ICRAR-UWA, said.
“The next generation of big data collection satellites will be able to get critical information on the ground faster.”
Another advantage of this technology is that it is the world’s most accurate way of comparing the time flow between two separate locations.
“If you have one of these optical terminals on the ground and one on the satellite in space, you can start investigating fundamental physics,” said Dr Schediwy.
“Everything from testing Einstein’s theory of general relativity more closely than ever before to discovering or changing fundamental physical constants over time.”
The technology can also be used in earth science and geophysical research, enabling satellites to investigate how the water table may change over time or search for ore deposits underground.
The phase stabilization technology was originally developed to synchronize incoming signals for the Square Kilometer Array telescope – a multi-billion dollar telescope to be built in Western Australia and South Africa from 2021.
The researchers’ results will be published in the journal under the title “Point-to-point stabilized optical frequency transmission with active optics” Nature communication.