A Tiny 'Rainbow On a Chip' Could Help Supercharge 6G Networks (sciencedaily.com)
- Reference: 0185292004
- News link: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/26/08/30/0644253/a-tiny-rainbow-on-a-chip-could-help-supercharge-6g-networks
- Source link: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260823014946.htm
> A microchip about the size of a grain of rice can generate a highly organized "rainbow" of light, a capability that could eventually support faster, higher-capacity 6G communications and extremely precise timing for quantum technologies. Physicists at Loughborough University, working with an international research team, [2]demonstrated a system that produces a series of precisely spaced light frequencies. Those optical frequencies can then be converted into multiple high-frequency electromagnetic signals known as millimeter waves.
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> Millimeter waves are attracting growing interest for future communications because they can provide considerably more bandwidth, giving networks more room to transmit data. A major obstacle, however, has been producing these signals with the precision and stability required for advanced applications... "They could ultimately contribute to faster, higher capacity 6G networks," [said Dr. Luke Peters, of Loughborough University's Emergent Photonics Research Centre], "but the potential goes far beyond communications. These frequencies could also be used in radar systems as well as spectroscopy and astronomical instruments, helping scientists study materials and make extremely precise measurements of the universe.
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> "These applications are still some way off, and there are challenges to overcome before the technology can be used in real-world systems — but our latest work has tackled a major one..." A microcomb generates an extremely precise set of light frequencies arranged somewhat like the colors in a rainbow, although the light itself is invisible to the human eye. A specialized antenna can then convert those optical frequencies into millimeter waves. Earlier research demonstrated that microcombs could produce a single precise millimeter wave frequency. Generating many frequencies simultaneously could be far more useful because each could potentially serve as a separate channel for transmitting information at the same time. Achieving that, however, requires a microcomb with exceptional stability and signal quality.
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> In a [3]new Nature Communications paper , the Loughborough led researchers report a system capable of doing exactly that.
Their system connects its chip-based microresonator to a much larger loop of optical fiber where laser light continuously travels through both parts of the system, according to the article.
"The team is now investigating how the microcomb system could eventually move from a laboratory experiment into practical technology."
[1] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260823014946.htm
[2] https://www.lboro.ac.uk/media-centre/press-releases/2026/august/microcomb-6g-quantum-technologies/
[3] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-76747-2
just got the driver for my wifi6 (Score:2)
I don't want to hear about wifi "improvements".
I seriously think this just creates reasons to upgrade rather than solving problems or making MY life any better.
Like all technology: the way to fix it is always more technology.
Its a self serving cycle for the tech companies, keep chumps on a constant upgrade cycle.
Good for business, questionable for the end users.
Re: (Score:2)
alright 6G whatever... so it's not wifi.... but its all the same argument
keep moving the goalposts so nobody ever gets anything done
we're just hamsters in a wheel
last year's tech is still just fine, there's nothing in it for you to upgrade, you probably arent even using the full capacity of what you've got.... speed? size? we've had fast enough and big enough for quite a few years now.
Re: (Score:1)
But... if 6G devices are available, that makes tons of money for the cell makers and tower builders, which is all those companies care about.
People will never be satisfied until the cellphone is built into your head and every single person has their own satellite to connect to for data, and AI does everything for you.
Re: (Score:3)
TFA is about mobile communications, not WiFi. And BTW, WiFi 7 was released over a year ago.
That said, millimeter-wavelength RF is unlikely to be useful for widespread 6G technology because it cannot pass through thick external walls of buildings. I'm surprised TFS didn't mention this "major obstacle." Perhaps this new technology will have a place as an alternative to WiFi within buildings?
Re: (Score:3)
> Like all technology: the way to fix it is always more technology.
> Its a self serving cycle for the tech companies, keep chumps on a constant upgrade cycle.
What the fuck are you doing on a tech forum like Slashdot?
Magic / bullshit (Score:2)
Seriously, what are these assholes smoking?
This should be fun (Score:2)
A bunch of people freak out over rainbows on flags and clothes, etc... wait until they find out there are rainbows in their electronics and computer chips. /s :-)
And, of course, those rainbow computer chips will also be in vaccines too... ;-)
Re: (Score:2)
An Executive Order keeping magenta out of red electronics will be dropping in 3, 2, 1...
"precise timing for quantum technologies" (Score:2)
So... any decade now.
6G (Score:2)
Do you want Covid twice? Because this is how you get Covid twice.
Re: (Score:1)
Whenever it comes out, it still won't be fast enough, what with more and more devices using cellular data (along with game systems and home media being entirely streaming/cloud data)... eventually so much as checking email will require gigabit to take less than a minute to load.
Re: "working with an international research team" (Score:3)
No, but phone companies are going to start relabeling 5G as 6G any time now...
Re: (Score:2)
-1 Hors sujet