High Speed VCSELs for Optical Interconnects

Systematically surveying the state of the art in vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, this thesis examines their present limitations as well as offering a catalogue of solutions through modeling, fabricating and testing at commercially crucial wavelengths.

The transmission speed of data communication systems is forecast to increase exponentially over the next decade. Development of both Si-based high-speed drivers as well as III-V-semiconductor-based high-speed vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) are prerequisites for future ultrahigh data-rate systems. This thesis presents: - a survey of the present state of the art of VCSELs - a systematic investigation of the various effects limiting present VCSELs - a catalogue of solutions to overcome present limits - detailed progress in modelling, fabricating and testing the currently most advanced VCSELs at the two commercially most important wavelengths.

Challenges the limits of high-speed data transmission Invaluable discussion of design issues Nominated as an outstanding contribution by the Technical University of Berlin Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Inhalt

1. Introduction.- 2. Physical Processes in Lasers and VCSEL Design.- 3. VCSEL Growth and Fabrication.- 4. High Temperature Stable 980 nm VCSEL Results.- 5. High Speed 850 nm VCSEL Results.- 6. Conclusions and Outlook.- Appendix A: Measurement Setup.