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

Tan, Meng Peun

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/44254 Copy

Description

Title

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

Author(s)

Tan, Meng Peun

Issue Date

2013-05-24T22:05:38Z

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Choquette, Kent D.

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Choquette, Kent D.

Committee Member(s)

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

Department of Study

Electrical & Computer Eng

Discipline

Electrical & Computer Engr

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

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

Abstract

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.

Graduation Semester

2013-05

Permalink

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

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2013 Meng Peun Tan

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