University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Modulation approaches of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers with mode control

Tan, Meng Peun

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Meng Peun_Tan.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/44254

Description

Title
Modulation approaches of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers with mode control
Author(s)
Tan, Meng Peun
Issue Date
2013-05-24T22:05:38Z
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Choquette, Kent D.
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Choquette, Kent D.
Committee Member(s)
  • Goddard, Lynford L.
  • Ravaioli, Umberto
  • Schutt-Ainé, José E.
Department of Study
Electrical & Computer Eng
Discipline
Electrical & Computer Engr
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Date of Ingest
2013-05-24T22:05:38Z
Keyword(s)
  • Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers
  • photonic crystal
  • optical communication
  • transverse mode
  • polarization
  • electro-optic modulation
Abstract
Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are currently the most popular light source for short-haul optical data communication primarily due to their low cost and low operating power. To address the needs for improved data rate, power consumption, and device lifetime, various approaches of digital modulation utilizing VCSELs with modified structures for mode control are presented. Direct modulation of VCSELs with separate optical and current apertures enables high modulation bandwidth of greater than 18 GHz operating single mode at low current density of less than 6 kA/cm2 because the current aperture diameter can be increased independent of the optical apertures. Polarization modulation of anisotropic VCSELs gives an extinction ratio of greater than 9 dB and at the same time requires low modulation amplitude of less than 200 mV, due to the orthogonality of the polarization states. To achieve polarization modulation requires the capabilities of polarization control and polarization switching. Finally, electro-optically modulated VCSELs with isolated cavity and modulator sections are shown to have the potential of digital modulation with a high data rate at low bias current. Design and fabrication of these VCSELs along with their characterization results will be presented, and approaches to improve their performance will also be suggested.
Graduation Semester
2013-05
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/44254
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2013 Meng Peun Tan

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