<title>VCSELs for high-speed optical data communications</title>

Abstract

We discuss our efforts in evaluating, planar, batch- fabricable, vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) for use in high-speed optical data communication interconnects. For this manuscript, we focus on the flexibility of the established proton-implanted AlGaAs-based (emitting near 850 nm) technology platform. These designs have more than adequately met performance and producibility stipulations. Demonstrated reliability is in excess of 10⁷ hours MTTF (at room T), and three-decibel modulation bandwidths of 15 GHz. We have also demonstrated a novel technique implementing a minor modification of the established platform to engineer low-threshold, high-speed, single-mode VCSELs. Said VCSEls are demonstrated in optical data links with bit error rates (BERS) less than 10^-12 under bias-free operation. Data link issues such as compliance with engineering standards are discussed.