Nanotube signal transmission system

摘要

A method and apparatus for transmitting signals. An apparatus comprises a tube comprising a number of layers of carbon forming a wall of the tube. The number of layers of carbon has a number of optical properties configured to propagate an optical signal and a number of electrical properties configured to conduct an electrical signal.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a tube comprised of a layer of carbon forming a wall of the tube, wherein the layer of carbon has a number of optical properties configured to propagate an optical signal within a channel in the tube and a number of electrical properties configured to conduct an electrical signal along a surface of the wall of the tube; and an insulating sheath covering an outer surface of the wall of the tube; wherein the tube forms a hollow core optical fiber; wherein the tube is configured to transmit information in at least one of the optical signal and the electrical signal; wherein the tube and a number of additional tubes comprised of a number of additional layers of carbon form a communications link; and wherein the insulating sheath:
provides an index of refraction for the optical signal that passes through the wall of the tube, andprovides optical absorption of stray photons that pass through the wall at an incidence that is greater than the index of refraction.