High-Speed VCSEL Optical Interconnects Operated 77-120 K for Focal Plane Arrays

Abstract

We report the development of low power high-speed VCSEL-based optical interconnects for focal plane arrays (FPAs). The VCSEL epitaxial structure is designed with a 1/2 λ cavity length, with multiple quantum-wells inside, and with top and bottom semiconductor DBRs. The devices were fabricated with a 4.5μm oxide aperture. The oxide-VCSEL exhibits a 3 dB modulation bandwidth exceeding 50 GHz at low bias current (<4 mA) for 77-120 K. Optical PAM-4 data transmission is demonstrated up to 138 Gb/s per lane with TDECQ values of 3.42 dB (77 K) and 4.15 dB (120 K). These results demonstrate VCSEL optical link as a plausible and cost-effective solution for FPAs.