Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers for the tera era

Summary form only given. We are reaching one of the most important aspects of the tera era is the need for high-speed interconnections between computers and peripherals. The use of optical interconnects using low-cost optoelectronic components will be key to the development of computer networks of the future. A very important technology which will enable high-speed optical interconnects is the vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) technology. These lasers can be made and tested in a fashion similar to light emitting diodes, allowing low-cost manufacturing, and can be made into two-dimensional arrays, allowing unique signal processing capabilities. Many R&D groups are busy developing VCSEL technology. The state-of-the-art of VCSEL technology has reached a very impressive level with threshold currents of the order of 100 μA and internal efficiencies greater than 50%. VCSELs have been developed over a wide wavelength range from 650nm to 1550 nm using conventional epitaxial growth techniques or more sophisticated techniques such as wafer fusing and bonding.