Ultra-High Speed Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers for High Performance Optical Networks

Statement of the problem or situation that is being addressed through phase I of the proposal: 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. The proposed approach addresses that need. General statement of how this problem is being addressed. The objectives of phase I is to demonstrate the feasibility of a proposed concept which use a new architecture for device design and demonstrate low capacitance and resistance for the laser device to dramatically reduce the RC time constant for the device and increase the speed of the devices. What is to be done in phase I? In phase I we would design and fabricate the devices out of our existing wafers and measure capacitance reduction with the approach proposed. In addition we would measure the resistance of the grating component to be used for the device in phase II and measure the resistance. We would thereby demonstrate the resistance and capacitance reduction with the proposed approach and do the device simulation with the measured numbers and demonstrate with the simulation that ultra-high speed laser devices can be developed in phase II. In phase I, we would also design a practical high speed laser device which will be fabricated in phase II. 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 >30% and the market will be $650M by 2017. For DOE, high speed lasers are critically needed for high performance computing applications as well as for many other systems. Key Words: High Speed lasers, VCSEL, High performance optical networks, high speed VCSEL, optical networks Summary for Members of Congress: In this SBIR, Princeton Optronics would apply its laser expertise to develop, ultra-high speed lasers which are needed by DOE and commercial entities for high performance computing, high speed optical networks, data centers and active optical cables. The approach would improve the performance as well as reduce the power consumption of the optical networks.