Title :
Optically-cascaded, multistage switching operation of a multifunctional binary optical/optoelectronic switch
Author :
Lu, BO ; Lu, Yin-Chen ; Alduino, A.C. ; Ortiz, G.G. ; Cheng, Julian ; Hafich, M.J. ; Klem, J. ; Schneider, R.P. ; Zolper, J.E.
Author_Institution :
Center for High Technol. Mater., Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Abstract :
Optically cascadable and multifunctional binary optical switches consisting of AlGaAs-GaAs vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs), and p-i-n photodetectors (PINs) have been realized. Each switching element consists of a pair of PIN/HBT/VCSEL switches that can perform optical switching and routing at a data rate of 100 Mb/s, and optoelectronic signal conversion at a data rate of 100 Mb/s, while achieving a peak dc optical gain of 18 and an ac optical gain of 4. Optically-cascaded, multistage switching operation has been demonstrated using two linear arrays of HBT/PIN/VCSEL switches, with an overall cascaded dc optical gain of 50 and an ac gain of 8.
Keywords :
III-V semiconductors; aluminium compounds; arrays; bipolar digital integrated circuits; bipolar transistor switches; gallium arsenide; integrated optoelectronics; laser cavity resonators; optical switches; p-i-n photodiodes; photodetectors; semiconductor laser arrays; semiconductor switches; surface emitting lasers; telecommunication network routing; 100 Mbit/s; AlGaAs-GaAs; AlGaAs-GaAs vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers; HBT; PIN; PIN/HBT/VCSEL switches; VCSEL; ac optical gain; cascaded dc optical gain; data rate; heterojunction bipolar transistors; linear arrays; multifunctional binary optical switches; multifunctional binary optical/optoelectronic switch; multistage switching operation; optically-cascaded operation; optoelectronic signal conversion; p-i-n photodetectors; peak dc optical gain; routing; Heterojunction bipolar transistors; High speed optical techniques; Optical arrays; Optical modulation; Optical switches; Performance gain; Routing; Stimulated emission; Surface emitting lasers; Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
