The groundbreaking hollow-core optical fiber technology, crafted by Microsoft's AzureFiber research team in the United States, transmits optical signals through air. This innovation smashes through the physical barrier of signal loss that has long plagued existing optical fibers, dramatically boosting both data transmission efficiency and range. Published in the esteemed journal Nature Photonics, laboratory tests reveal that this technology attains an astonishingly low optical loss of just 0.091 decibels per kilometer at commonly utilized communication wavelengths. This figure pales in comparison to the levels observed in commercial solid-core optical fibers.

This monumental breakthrough extends the signal transmission distance by roughly 50% without the necessity for relay amplification. Consequently, it slashes energy consumption and equipment costs associated with long-distance communication. Moreover, it showcases a broader low-loss transmission window, paving the way for the advancement of multi-wavelength multiplexing technology. Microsoft has already put this technology into practical use and has outlined plans to deploy a staggering 15,000 kilometers of hollow-core optical fiber within the Azure global network over the next 24 months. This strategic move aims to cater to the burgeoning demands of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing scenarios.