Analog modulation properties of oxide confined VCSELs at microwave frequencies

• Motivated by the need for affordable, high-performance fiber-optic microwave links in fiber-fed microcellular networks and radar systems, we have performed a comprehensive experimental evaluation of the microwave modulation characteristics of high-speed oxide-confined vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) emitting at 840 inn. VCSELs with different oxide aperture diameters, including both single- and multimode lasers, have been used to track the dependence on modal behavior. The study includes both static and dynamic characteristics, with an emphasis on those of major importance for analog modulation. This includes the small-signal modulation response (S-11 and S-21), the relative intensity noise (RIN), and the intermodulation distortion. From this, we determine the spurious free dynamic range, the impedance characteristics, and the speed limitations.

Nyckelord

analog modulation

distortion

noise

semiconductor lasers

vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL)

vertical-cavity lasers

surface-emitting lasers

dynamic-range

optical interconnects

nonlinear distortion

fiberoptic links

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