1,000 Times Smaller Than a Grain of Sand – Newest Optical Fiber Technology

Swedish researchers have 3D-printed silica glass micro-optics on optical fibers, enhancing internet speed and connectivity. This technique, more resilient and precise, could revolutionize remote sensing, pharmaceuticals, and photonics.

In a first for communications, Swedish researchers have successfully 3D printed silica glass micro-optics directly onto the tips of optical fibers, areas as tiny as the cross-section of a human hair. This breakthrough could lead to faster internet speeds and enhanced connectivity, along with the development of smaller sensors and more compact imaging systems.

Reporting in the journal ACS Nano, researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm say integrating silica glass optical devices with optical fibers enables multiple innovations, including more sensitive remote sensors for the environment and healthcare.