Title :
Cryogenic VCSELs with chirped multiple quantum wells for a very wide temperature range of CW operation
Author :
Ortiz, G.G. ; Hains, C.P. ; Lu, BO ; Sun, S.Z. ; Cheng, Julian ; Zolper, J.C.
Author_Institution :
Center for High Technol. Mater., New Mexico Univ., Albuquerque, NM, USA
Abstract :
Cryogenic optical data links require an efficient optical source with temperature-insensitive continuous-wave (CW) operation at low temperatures. Also, to simplify optical alignment, it is desirable to obtain CW operation over a broad temperature range that spans both the low and high temperatures. By the use of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) with chirped (nonuniform) multiple quantum wells (MQWs) to broaden the optical gain spectrum, CW operation has been achieved from 5-350 K, with improved characteristics in both the high- and low-temperature regimes. In particular, temperature-insensitive, submilliampere threshold current was achieved at temperatures from 5-50 K, with a threshold current density of 350 A/cm/sup 2/, and a threshold voltage that is below 3 V.
Keywords :
computer networks; cryogenics; data communication; laser cavity resonators; optical links; quantum well lasers; surface emitting lasers; 3 V; 5 to 350 K; 5 to 50 K; CW operation; broad temperature range; chirped multiple quantum wells; cryogenic VCSEL; cryogenic optical data links; efficient optical source; low temperatures; optical alignment; submilliampere threshold current; temperature-insensitive; temperature-insensitive continuous-wave operation; threshold current density; threshold voltage; vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers; very wide temperature range; Chirp; Cryogenics; High speed optical techniques; Laboratories; Optical sensors; Quantum well devices; Surface emitting lasers; Temperature distribution; Threshold current; Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
