VCSEL intrinsic response extraction using T-Matrix formalism

We present a new method to remove the parasitics contribution to the VCSEL chip response, in order to obtain the intrinsic S21 behavior. The on-chip VCSEL is defined as two cascaded two-port subsystems representing the electrical access and the VCSEL optical cavity respectively. S11 and S21 parameters measurements are carried-out using a probe station to characterize the chip response. An electrical equivalent circuit defining the behavior of the electrical access is combined with T-Matrix formalism to remove the parasitics contribution from the measured S21 response. Results allow us to determine the intrinsic 3-dB bandwidth of the VCSEL

Critical study of the vertical-cavity surface emitting laser electrical access for integrated optical sub-assembly

The proposal contribution aims at highlighting the consequence of the impedance mismatching in Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting laser (VCSEL)-based optical subassembly for optical interconnection applications. The integration of this micro laser diode needs a particular care to avoid electromagnetic coupling which could transform the advantage of the VCSEL technology in a weakness. Indeed, the vertical emission perpendicular to the active layer gives the possibility to achieve the need of planarization of the optoelectronic circuits and the design of VCSEL arrays. That is why it is of great interest to develop an optoelectronic model including the electrical access effect. This model is based on the VCSEL rate equation comparison with a behavioural small-signal equivalent circuit. Scattering parameters of various VCSEL structures and various VCSEL chip submounts are tested. This characterization allows the validation of the laser model and emphasizes the influence of the electrical access in the light transmission. In a particular VCSEL array structure, a crosstalk phenomenon is also observed. In other cases, the frequency rise involves modification of the laser frequency response. Consequently the electrical access of the VCSEL needs to be improved in order to avoid an inadequate utilization of the VCSEL

2.49 GHz low phase-noise optoelectronic oscillator using 1.55μm VCSEL for avionics and aerospace applications

We present here a 1.55 μm single mode Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) based low phase-noise ring optoelectronic (OEO) oscillator operating at 2.49 GHz for aerospace, avionics and embedded systems applications. Experiments using optical fibers of different lengths have been carried out to obtain optimal results. A phase-noise measurement of - 107 dBc/Hz at an offset of 10 kHz from the carrier is obtained.A 3-dB linewidth of 16 Hz for this oscillator signal has been measured. An analysis of lateral mode spacing or Free Spectral Range (FSR) as a function of fiber length has been carried out. A parametric comparison with DFB Laser-based and multimode VCSEL-based opto-electronic oscillators is also presented

Source misalignment in multimode polymer tapered waveguides for optical backplanes

Polymer tapered multimode waveguides were modeled using the finite difference wide-angle beam propagation method to investigate whether tapered input waveguide couplers decreasing in width away from the waveguide entrance give improved tolerance to lateral misalignments of an optical source compared to straight waveguides and whether there is any effect on angular misalignment tolerance for use in optical backplane interconnections. Input tapered couplers having a larger entrance and tapering down in width do indeed improve the lateral misalignment tolerance compared to straight waveguides but do so at the expense of an increased loss. Tapers have no effect on angular tolerance for strongly driven vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) sources although they cause a loss of angular tolerance for single-mode fiber sources and VCSELs at low drive currents. (c) 2007 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers

Chirp-based direct phase modulation of VCSELs for cost-effective transceivers

A 2.5Gb/s DPSK transmitter based on direct phase modulation of a VCSEL using its own chirp is proposed. The VCSEL, which wavelength is 1539.84nm, has been characterized both static and dynamically. The sensitivity of a single photodiode heterodyne receiver using the proposed 2.5Gb/sVCSEL transmitter is -39.5dBm. Thus, this transmitter is an extremely cost-effective solution for future access networks.Postprint (author's final draft

Vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser with a liquid crystal external cavity

We have developed a technology to integrate a thin layer of liquid crystal (LC) on top of a Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL). Based on this technology, we demonstrate VCSELs with a chiral liquid crystal (CLC) layer, which acts as a tuneable mirror. The reflection properties of the CLC layer are controlled by temperature. Next we demonstrate VCSEL devices with tuneable external cavity using a nematic LC layer incorporated with an additional dielectric mirror (SiO2/Ta2O5). The VCSEL and the LC layer can be electrically driven independently and the optical length in the external cavity can be tuned by the applied voltage on the LC layer. In both configurations we show that the emission properties of the VCSEL can be changed, in terms of emission wavelength, polarization state and/or lasing threshold

The new radiation-hard optical links for the ATLAS pixel detector

The ATLAS detector is currently being upgraded with a new layer of pixel based charged particle tracking and a new arrangement of the services for the pixel detector. These upgrades require the replacement of the opto-boards previously used by the pixel detector. In this report we give details on the design and production of the new opto-boards.Comment: Presentation at the DPF 2013 Meeting of the American Physical Society Division of Particles and Fields, Santa Cruz, California, August 13-17, 201

Robust Design by Antioptimization for Parameter Tolerant GaAs/AlOx High Contrast Grating Mirror for VCSEL Application

A GaAs/AlOx high contrast grating structure design which exhibits a 99.5% high reflectivity for a 425nm large bandwidth is reported. The high contrast grating (HCG) structure has been designed in order to enhance the properties of mid-infrared VCSEL devices by replacing the top Bragg mirror of the cavity. A robust optimization algorithm has been implemented to design the HCG structure not only as an efficient mirror but also as a robust structure against the imperfections of fabrication. The design method presented here can be easily adapted for other HCG applications at different wavelengths.Comment: (c) 2013 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other users, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works for resale or redistribution to servers or lists or reuse of any copyrighted components of this work in other work

Optimization of an avionic VCSEL-based optical link through large signal characterization

Optical communication systems have been widely preferred for network communications, especially for Datacoms Local Area Network links. The optical technology is an excellent candidate for on-board systems due to the potential weight saving and EMC immunity. According to the short length of the link and a cost saving, Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) and multimode fiber are the best solution for gigabit systems. In this context, we propose a modeling of 850nm VCSEL based on the rate equations analysis to predict the optical interconnect performances (jitter, bit error rate). Our aim is to define the operation conditions of VCSEL under large signal modulation in order to maximize the Extinction Ratio (current IOFF below threshold) without affecting link performances. The VCSEL model is developed to provide large signal modulation response. Biasing below threshold causes stochastic turn-on delay. Fluctuations of this delay occur, due to the spontaneous emission. This leads to additional turn-on jitter. These stochastic effects are included in the model by adding the Langevin photon and electron noise sources. The VCSEL behavior under high-speed modulation is studied to observe the transient response and extract the resonance frequency, overshoot and turn-on delay. The associated jitter is evaluated with the standard deviation of the turn-on delay probability density function. Simulations of stochastic and deterministic jitters are realized under different conditions of modulation (OFF current levels). Comparing simulations with measurement results carried out on VCSEL and a short haul gigabit link validates the approach