Ultra-high speed link development using high speed VCSEL devices

High performance optical networks are needed by DOE and commercial entities. The high performance optical networks need higher speed (>100Gb/s), low power consumption lasers in usable optical modules format. The proposed approach addresses that need. The objectives of phase I are to demonstrate the feasibility of optical modules using 100Gb/s single VCSELs. The proposed concept would use new components and lasers in a novel design. The modules will have 4x higher speed and 4x lower power consumption compared to current state of the art. In phase I Princeton Optronics would study the optical module concept and study the means by which the necessary components such as laser driver, detector and post amplifiers at 100Gb/s can be developed. The laser would be developed in Princeton Optronics. Princeton Optronics would design the optical modules for 400 and 1200Gb/s in the phase I. In phase I, Princeton Optronics would also develop a plan to develop all the optical components and build the optical module prototypes in phase II. The prototypes would be built in phase II. In this SBIR, Princeton Optronics would apply its laser expertise to develop ultra-high speed laser modules for 400 and 1200Gb/s using 100Gb/s VCSEL devices. These modules are needed by DOE and commercial entities for high performance computing, high speed optical networks, and data centers applications. Princeton Optronics’s approach would improve the performance as well as reduce the power consumption of the optical networks. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: The high speed >100Gb/s laser devices would have applications in high speed optical networks, data centers, and active optical cables. According to a recent market report, the market for high speed lasers for such applications is currently are growing at a rate of >25% and the market will be >$600M by 2018. For DOE, high speed lasers are critically needed for high performance computing applications as well as for many other systems.