A recent study published in Advanced Optical Materials explores the potential of fluorescent concentrators (FCs) in enhancing optical wireless communication (OWC) technologies. Researchers compared the performance of different optical antennas (OAs) using various organic fluorophores to improve the efficiency of both light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and laser-based communication systems.
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Progress in Optical Wireless Communication Technology
OWC is an evolving field that utilizes light for data transmission, offering high data rates and expanded bandwidth compared to traditional radio frequency systems. However, balancing optical gain (OG), bandwidth (BW), and field of view (FoV) remains a significant challenge.
Fluorescent concentrators have emerged as a promising solution. These devices absorb and re-emit light at longer wavelengths, efficiently directing it toward photodetectors. This enhances OG without compromising BW, thereby improving overall OWC system performance. Traditional photodiodes (PDs) often struggle with large parasitic capacitance, which limits BW. By integrating FCs with small-area PDs, OWC systems can achieve higher efficiency, overcoming a key limitation in optical communication.
Evaluating Fluorescent Concentrators
The study examined three OAs incorporating different fluorophores: DQ1, Lumogen Red 305F (LR305), and a newly developed fluorophore, H2. Researchers assessed their performance in high-speed laser-based OWC setups and indoor LED-based visible light communication (VLC) systems.
The experimental setup involved fabricating FC slabs using poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) doped with each fluorophore. Key optical properties such as absorption and emission spectra, quantum yield (QY), and excited-state lifetime were systematically analyzed, as these factors directly influence OA performance.
To evaluate effectiveness, the researchers implemented a practical VLC transmitter-receiver (TX-RX) system using high-power white LEDs as the light source. Real-world communication conditions were simulated to assess data transmission rates, bit error ratio (BER), and resilience to angular misalignment.
Key Findings: Performance of Different OAs
The study revealed significant performance variations among the OAs. The H2-based FCs demonstrated the highest bandwidth, achieving a -3 dB BW of approximately 31 MHz, compared to 15 MHz and 16 MHz for DQ1 and LR305-based FCs, respectively. These results aligned with the fluorophores’ excited-state lifetimes, a key factor in determining performance. The study also emphasized the role of Stokes shift in minimizing reabsorption losses, which impact optical communication efficiency.
For data transmission, H2-based FCs achieved bit rates exceeding 70 Mb/s under ideal conditions, with a pre-forward error correction bit error rate (pre-FEC BER) of 10-3. In contrast, DQ1 and LR305 configurations reached approximately 35 Mb/s and 40 Mb/s, respectively.
The broader BW of H2 supported faster data rates, while the slower response of other fluorophores led to inter-symbol interference (ISI) at higher bit rates. Additionally, the OAs demonstrated superior resilience to angular misalignment compared to bare PDs, with FoV values exceeding 140 ° full-width half-maximum (FWHM)—a crucial factor for practical OWC applications.
Although the DQ1-based OA had lower maximum bit rates, it showed promise for low-bit-rate VLC applications by filtering out slower phosphorescent emissions. Meanwhile, LR305, despite its high collection efficiency, faced ISI challenges at higher bit rates. These findings highlight the importance of selecting fluorophores based on specific OWC requirements.
Practical Applications of Fluorescent Antennas
These findings have important implications for both indoor and outdoor OWC applications. The high performance of H2-based OAs makes them well-suited for high-speed data transmission. Their stability under misalignment conditions enhances their usefulness in free-space optical (FSO) communication, where maintaining strong connections over long distances is essential.
Integrating OAs with LED systems presents opportunities for embedding optical communication into existing lighting infrastructure, improving energy efficiency and reducing costs. These insights support the development of next-generation VLC systems that can meet the growing demand for high-speed internet. Additionally, the ability of OAs to support high data rates makes them a strong option for secure, interference-resistant communication networks.
As OWC technology progresses, these insights will help shape high-speed, reliable solutions. Fluorescent antennas offer a practical approach to improving data transmission rates and system resilience, bringing OWC closer to widespread real-world adoption.
Journal Reference
Meucci, M., et al. (2025). Comparative Test of Novel Fluorescent Optical Antennas for LED- and Laser-Based Optical Wireless Communications. Advanced Optical Materials. DOI: 10.1002/adom.202402367, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adom.202402367
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