Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers: the applications

Robert A. Morgan; John A. Lehman; Mary K. Hibbs-Brenner; Yue Liu; Julian P. G. Bristow

doi:10.1117/12.273822

1 May 1997 Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers: the applications

Robert A. Morgan, John A. Lehman, Mary K. Hibbs-Brenner, Yue Liu, Julian P. G. Bristow

Proceedings Volume 3004, Fabrication, Testing, and Reliability of Semiconductor Lasers II; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.273822
Event: Photonics West '97, 1997, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

In this paper, we focus on how vertical-cavity surface- emitting lasers (VCSELs) and arrays have led to many feasible advanced technological applications. Their intrinsic characteristics, performance, and producibility offer substantial advantages over alternative sources. Demonstrated performance of `commercial-grade' VCSELs include low operating powers (< 2 V, mAs), high speeds (3 dB BWs > 15 GHz), and high temperature operating ranges (10 K to 400 K and -55 degree(s)C to 125 degree(s)C, and T > 200 degree(s)C). Moreover, their robustness is manifest by high reliability in excess of 10⁷ hours mean time between failures at room temperature and tenfold improvement over existing rad-hard LEDs. Hence, even these `commercial-grade' VCSELs offer potential within cryogenic and avionics/military or space environments. We have also demonstrated submilliamp I_TH, stable, single-mode VCSELs utilized within bias-free 1-Gbit/s data links. These low- power VCSELs may also serve in applications from printers to low-cost atomic clocks. The greatest near-term VCSEL applications are upgrades to low-cost LEDs and high-grade copper wire in data links and sensors. Exploiting their surface-emitting geometry, VCSELs are also compatible with established multichip module packaging. Hence VCSELs and VCSEL arrays are ideal components for interconnect-intensive processing applications between and within computing systems.

Citation Download Citation

Robert A. Morgan, John A. Lehman, Mary K. Hibbs-Brenner, Yue Liu, and Julian P. G. Bristow "Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers: the applications", Proc. SPIE 3004, Fabrication, Testing, and Reliability of Semiconductor Lasers II, (1 May 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.273822

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available