Cheapest telecommunications

2002/04/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Materialak

Polymers capable of emitting visible light have created in recent years a great hope in the matter of materials. To date, however, the telecommunications market seemed closed for these polymers, as they were not able to work effectively near the infrared light zone. In fact, optical fibers that are the basis of telecommunications are the most efficient band. Now, Israeli researchers have pointed out that they have synthesized a polymer capable of emitting light near the infrared light zone.

The mixture of polymer with semiconductor solid nanocrystals has significantly increased the efficiency of the transmission. The polymer transports the electric current to the nanocrystals that produce infrared light. Since light emitting polymers can be synthesized at a price much lower than usual, the new material could encompass the telecommunications market.