Laser internet breakthrough sees scientists hit 98% fidelity over hundreds of meters magnetic 'skyrmions' shield data from distortion in alternative to fiber-optic cables

Date:
Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Description:
New research shows how data can be sent using beams of light with almost zero distortion.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Researchers just encoded data into a beam of high-speed light The data arrived intact, despite significant heat and wind It could transform the internet, communications and more Transmitting data through the air often comes with a key problem: under a barrage of turbulent atmospheric conditions like wind and heat, the data can become distorted and corrupted, requiring great effort to piece it back together. Its a big obstacle for long-distance internet and communications providers, yet a team of researchers think theyve just solved this puzzle
and it could have massive implications for how you send data to and from your devices.

Researchers from Wits University in South Africa and the University of Bordeaux in France conducted an experiment that involved shooting a beam of light through the air. The light was encoded with optical data, and when they recovered it at the destination site, they found it had arrived with over 98% fidelity, only dropping to 86% fidelity in the most severe conditions tested. How did they do it? According to a paper the team published in the journal Science Advances , the data was encoded into magnetic structures within light called skyrmions. These acted as a form of protective shielding that enabled the data to travel with the light, all without being altered by the surrounding environment. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

It worked because the data was encoded into the lights topological profile. Professor Andrew Forbes, Head of the Structured Light Lab in the Wits School of Physics, likened it to the comparison between a donut and a coffee mug: they both contain a round hole, and this factor remains constant if you reshape one into the other. In the same way, the light could be warped by
heat and noise without garbling the data it was carrying. Massive potential The technology could be used to help improve satellite communications. (Image credit: Shutterstock) This test wasnt limited to short distances the beam of light involved was transmitted over hundreds of meters, with plenty of heat, noise and wind present at the time. That means it therefore has a degree of applicability to real-world conditions. You may like Chinese firm's fiber trial hits staggering 51.3 Tb/s over 128 miles without signal regeneration Orbital data centers reintroduce a challenge weve now fixed on land World's smallest space laser station is changing global connectivity by bypassing 'vulnerabilities associated with terrestrial and subsea cables'

Open air data transmissions have previously had to include constant real-time monitoring and correction of distortion, but if this latest research becomes usable on a wider basis, that might not be necessary for much longer. This technique could drastically reduce both the difficulty and cost involved in this kind of communication and has particular utility for space missions , where infrastructure like fiber-optic cabling is clearly not feasible.

High-speed satellite communications and quantum computing could also benefit from this technical advancement. And on a more prosaic level, it could
improve communications without needing to build out costly fiber-optic networks. Think high-speed internet being beamed from the sky Starlink-style to rural communities that have long been underserved by traditional carrier systems. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

We envision that our results will pave the way towards seeing and
transporting information through distortion by harnessing lights innate, invariant properties for fast, reliable, and efficient communication, the researchers concluded. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. The best laptops for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/internet/laser-internet-breakthrough-sees- scientists-hit-98-percent-fidelity-over-hundreds-of-meters-magnetic-skyrmions- shield-data-from-distortion-in-alternative-to-fiber-optic-cables


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