Energy efficiency, bit rate, and modal properties of 980 nm VCSELs for very-short-reach optical interconnects

Abstract

Via experimental results supported by numerical modeling we report the energy-efficiency, bit rate, and modal properties of GaAs-based 980 nm vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs). Using our newly established Principles for the design and operation of energy-efficient VCSELs as reported in the Invited paper by Moser et al. [1] along with our high bit rate 980 nm VCSEL epitaxial designs that include a relatively large etalonto-quantum well gain-peak wavelength detuning of about 15 nm we demonstrate record error-free (bit error ratio below 10 -12 ) data transmission performance of 38, 40, and 42 Gbit/s at 85, 75, and 25°C, respectively. At 38 Gbit/s in a back-toback test configuration from 45 to 85°C we demonstrate a record low and highly stable dissipated energy of only ~179 to 177 fJ per transmitted bit. We conclude that our 980 nm VCSELs are especially well suited for very-short-reach and ultra-short-reach optical interconnects where the data transmission distances are about 1 m or less, and about 10 mm or less, respectively.

Energy-efficient, temperature stable, high data rate VCSELs for optical interconnects

“…The static LIV is very temperature stable and the threshold current reaches a minimum at ~70 °C. Error-free transmission at 38 Gb/s is achieved up to 85 °C [9,10]. The bit error ratio (BER) and the optical eye-diagrams at 38 Gb/s at different temperatures are shown in Fig.…”

“…We use a nominal gain-to-etalon offset of -15 nm in our 980 nm VCSELs to move the temperature of optimal device performance to higher temperatures of about 70-85 °C [9,10]. In Fig.…”

“…The HBR values at 38 Gb/s at 25, 45, 65, and 85 °C are 197, 179, 177, and 177 fJ/bit, respectively[9,10]. Due to the detuning, our 980 nm VCSELs are more energy-efficient at higher temperatures and from 45 to 85 °C there is almost a zero change of the HBR.…”

High-speed and scalable high-power VCSEL arrays and their applications

“…Individual devices have achieved efficient operation with modulation speeds in excess of 40 Gb/s at both the 850 nm and 980 nm wavelengths. 1,2 VCSELs have also been shown to be effective and robust in extreme temperature and radiation environments. 3,4 Large 2D arrays of VCSELs have been used as illuminators and for industrial thermal processing.…”

Compact VCSEL-based laser array communications systems for improved data performance in satellites

“…Individual devices have achieved efficient operation with modulation speeds in excess of 40 Gb/s at both the 850 nm and 980 nm wavelengths. 1,2 Multiple, separately-addressed devices have been fabricated on a single substrate and coupled to multiple fiber-optic channels in a ribbon cable to achieve optical modules with high overall data throughput, such as those used for Active Optical Cable (AOC) applications. 3 VCSELs have been shown to be environmentally robust in temperature and radiation environments.…”