Analog transmission using vertical-cavity lasers

Summary form only given. Analog signal transmission using a short wavelength VCSEL is studied. We demonstrate a spurious free dynamic range suitable for personal communications systems. The maximum dynamic range was measured at 85 dB Hz/sup 2/3/ between 100 MHz and 1 GHz using a higher bandwidth detector. Although this is lower than the maximum achievable dynamic range for DFB lasers (SFDR=125 dB Hz/sup 2/3/), these results indicate that VCSELs satisfy the dynamic range requirements for personal communication systems, which are in the range of 72-83 dB Hz/sup 2/3/. Increasing the optical power coupled into the detector and operating at higher modulation frequencies may result in improved dynamic range for VCSELs. At higher frequencies, performance will not be influenced by thermal nonlinearities, but instead will be limited by the relatively high relaxation oscillation frequencies. Finally, we present the dependence of dynamic range on oxide aperture diameter illustrating the effects of spatial hole burning.