Operation of a 50-element two-dimensional smart-pixel receiver array

Two-dimensional arrays of optical receivers become interesting as we try to pack more information into smaller spaces, as might be encountered in optical interconnect applications. We have realized a two-dimensional array of such receivers, and coupled their outputs off-chip both electrically and optically, by using a previously described hybrid process whereby multiple-quantum-well modulator/detectors are attached to CMOS circuits. We have demonstrated 622 Mb/s operation of receivers in the array, and found that roughly a 2.5 dB penalty is incurred for operation of nearly the whole array as compared to an isolated element at 311 Mb/s