Optical communications and datacom
Similar to their short-wavelength counterparts at 850 nm that have been most widely used in high-speed data communications, long-wavelength VCSELs with wavelengths ranging from 1300 nm to 1550 nm will have numerous applications in optical communications. Because of significantly smaller fiber attenuation as well as smaller fiber dispersion at these longer wavelengths, significantly larger distances and bandwidths can be achieved. In particular, long-wavelength single mode VCSELs with modulation rates of up to 10 Gbit/s enable broadband optical links with transmission distances that are up to over ten kilometers in length. The single mode BTJ-VCSEL exhibit an excellent spectral performance with a side mode suppression ratio (SMSR) well exceeding 40 dB. In many applications where power levels around 1 mW are sufficient, the long-wavelength VCSELs may act as a substitute for expensive DFB lasers. Emerging higher-capacity networks (i.e. 10 Gigabit Ethernet) will benefit from the availability of long-wavelength VCSELs.
Eye diagram of 1550 nm BTJ-VCSEL at 10 Gbit/s
