FiberHome Sets New Record with 0.063 dB/km Ultra-Low Attenuation in Hollow-Core Fiber

Recently, FiberHome has achieved a milestone breakthrough in the performance of its independently developed hollow-core anti-resonant fiber. Leveraging an upgraded precision control platform and an improved dual-nested structure, the hollow-core fiber has demonstrated stable low-attenuation performance in the communication window. Through the cutback method, the minimum attenuation value in the 1550 nm band reached 0.063 dB/km, placing it among the international advanced level. Meanwhile, FiberHome, in collaboration with operators, has focused on meeting the demands of data center interconnect (DCI) and addressed challenges in engineering applications. By systematically optimizing scenario performance, they have accelerated the comprehensive enhancement of the engineering application capabilities of hollow-core fiber.  

Performance Leap and Band Transmission Innovation 

Hollow-core anti-resonant fiber, with low-refractive-index air as the transmission medium, can increase the transmission speed of optical signals by approximately 30%, effectively reducing latency, shortening data transmission time for distributed training of large models, and improving training and inference efficiency. Its single-fiber capacity has exceeded 100 Tbps, akin to opening a broad "highway" for data transmission. Compared to traditional single-mode fiber, hollow-core fiber is better suited for massive bandwidth requirements in DCI scenarios, such as intelligent learning algorithms and neural network processing.  

This technological breakthrough by FiberHome not only achieves extreme performance at a single wavelength but also highlights the superior advantages of large-bandwidth transmission. Currently, the overall attenuation in the kilometer-scale S+C+L communication bands has been maintained at an excellent level of less than 0.18 dB/km, with the typical 1550 nm wavelength surpassing the theoretical limit of 0.14 dB/km for traditional G.652.D single-mode fiber.  

Tackling Engineering Implementation Challenges

In advancing hollow-core fiber from theoretical experimentation to commercial engineering practice, FiberHome has collaborated with operators to study the performance impact of hollow-core optical cables in extreme environments such as high winds, sandy conditions, and freeze-thaw cycles.  

To address the interference from CO₂ absorption peaks in the C+L bands during pilot network tests, the company optimized process gas composition and static atmosphere intervention technology, reducing loss fluctuations to within engineering tolerance thresholds and ensuring stable transmission across the ultra-wide S+C+L bands. In response to local construction and deployment requirements, an innovative "moisture-proof coating + structural sealing" dual-protection mechanism was adopted to prevent moisture intrusion in underground pipeline networks, keeping water-induced attenuation increments within acceptable engineering ranges. For aerial deployment scenarios, exploration of engineering applications has progressed in terms of mechanical strength, environmental tolerance, and construction techniques. Through multiple rounds of systematic testing and iteration, the mechanical strength and bend resistance of the fiber in complex environments have been verified, successfully advancing hollow-core fiber technology from the laboratory to commercial use.  

Technological Accumulation and Industrialization Capabilities 

With years of expertise in micro-structured optical fibers, FiberHome has accumulated extensive research and development experience. Using hollow-core photonic crystal fiber as the core raw material, the company developed a new hollow-core bandgap photonic crystal fiber gyroscope engineering prototype. In May 2023, this prototype successfully completed long-term in-orbit space testing, marking the first international long-term space environment validation for such fiber gyroscopes and accumulating critical experience for enhancing the reliability of hollow-core fibers in complex environments.  

Driven by market demand for hollow-core anti-resonant fiber, FiberHome has rapidly overcome key industrialization technologies across the entire process, from raw materials and equipment platforms to mass manufacturing processes. Core technologies such as high-precision quartz tube drawing, precise preform shaping, fine intermediate drawing, and micro-structure regional precision control have been mastered, and the company now possesses commercial delivery capabilities.  

The continuous breakthroughs in hollow-core fiber technology represent a key achievement for China's optical communication industry in seizing the technological high ground in the era of computing power. These advancements lay a solid foundation for building ultra-high-capacity, ultra-low-latency optical communication backbone networks in the future, strongly supporting the high-quality development of cutting-edge industries such as computing power networks and submarine transmission networks. FiberHome will continue to deepen its core technology research and development, promote the industrialization and scenario-based expansion of hollow-core fiber technology, and reinforce the foundation of "all-optical transport" with more competitive optical communication solutions, driving the construction of Digital China into a new phase.