Modulation approaches of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers with mode control

Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are currently the most popular light source for short-haul optical data communication primarily due to their low cost and low operating power. To address the needs for improved data rate, power consumption, and device lifetime, various approaches of digital modulation utilizing VCSELs with modified structures for mode control are presented. Direct modulation of VCSELs with separate optical and current apertures enables high modulation bandwidth of greater than 18 GHz operating single mode at low current density of less than 6 kA/cm2 because the current aperture diameter can be increased independent of the optical apertures. Polarization modulation of anisotropic VCSELs gives an extinction ratio of greater than 9 dB and at the same time requires low modulation amplitude of less than 200 mV, due to the orthogonality of the polarization states. To achieve polarization modulation requires the capabilities of polarization control and polarization switching. Finally, electro-optically modulated VCSELs with isolated cavity and modulator sections are shown to have the potential of digital modulation with a high data rate at low bias current. Design and fabrication of these VCSELs along with their characterization results will be presented, and approaches to improve their performance will also be suggested.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Electrical & Computer Engr

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Tan, Meng Peun

Contributors dc:contributor

• Choquette, Kent D.
• Goddard, Lynford L.
• Ravaioli, Umberto
• Schutt-Ainé, José E.

• Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers
• photonic crystal
• optical communication
• transverse mode
• polarization
• electro-optic modulation

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2013 Meng Peun Tan

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/44254

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/44254