Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers and smart pixels for optical interconnection systems
Though TDM (and recently WDM) are generally adopted to increase the total throughput in optical communication systems, SDM must be more effective in most optical interconnection systems. This is because SDM has more advantage in cost and power consumption than TDM, when the transmission distance is rather short, i.e. less than a few hundred meters. VCSEL and smart pixel arrays are very important for constructing optical interconnection systems because they can emit, switch and process a number of broadband optical signals simultaneously. This paper reviews VCSELs and VCSEL-based smart pixels, and discusses the issues for their application to optical interconnections. VCSELs and smart pixels are applicable to three types of parallel optical interconnections: 1) parallel optical fiber link-the optical signals from the SEL array are transmitted through a fiber ribbon for distances less than a few hundred meters; 2) free-space optical interconnects-high-density optical signals from a two-dimensional SEL array are distributed into several ports for distance shorter than one meter; 3) reconfigurable optical interconnects nterconnect patterns among processors are changed dynamically by means of free-space photonic switching networks.
Multimode WDM optical data links with monolithically integrated multiple-channel VCSEL and photodetector arrays
We report on the design and implementation of a novel multiple-wavelength optical data link for low-cost multimode wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) local-area network applications. This link utilizes a monolithically integrated multiple-wavelength vertical-cavity laser array and a narrow-band resonant-cavity photodetector array to transmit multiple channels of information simultaneously via a single multimode fiber. A detailed analysis on wavelength tuning and threshold characteristics of different laser cavity designs is presented. Theoretical results are compared to our experimental data. On the receiver part, both Schottky and p-i-n photodetectors with a single- or coupled-cavity structure are discussed. A novel p-i-n resonant-cavity photodetector design with a partially oxidized front mirror for linewidth control is proposed. Moreover, we also demonstrate preliminary measurements on the optical link built with our multiple-wavelength vertical-cavity laser array and photodetector array. Finally, the feasibility of constructing a multiwavelength optical data link with a single dual-core multimode fiber and an integrated laser/detector array is evaluated.
A novel high-power laser structure with current-blocked regions near cavity facets
A novel high-power GaAlAs laser structure has been developed. In the new structure, current-blocked regions are formed near both facets for suppressing local temperature rise. Furthermore, the active layer is made thin only in the vicinity of the facets in order to enlarge the spot size without significant increase of the operating current. The experimentally fabricated laser with the new structure exhibited a COD power density 1.4 times higher and a degradation rate 1/2 times lower than those of the conventional structure lasers.