Analog modulation properties of oxide confined VCSELs at microwave frequencies

• Published in: Journal of lightwave technology Vol. 20; no. 9; pp. 1740 - 1749
• Main Authors: Carlsson, C., Martinsson, H., Schatz, R., Halonen, J., Larsson, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.09.2002; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: analog modulation; Apertures; Applied sciences; Circuit properties; distortion; Dynamic characteristics; dynamic-range; Electric, optical and optoelectronic circuits; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; Fiber lasers; Fiber optics; fiberoptic links; Integrated optoelectronics. Optoelectronic circuits; Intensity modulation; Laser radar; Masers; Microwave frequencies; Microwaves; Modulation; Networks; noise; nonlinear distortion; Optical and optoelectronic circuits; Optical fibers; optical interconnects; Oxides; Performance evaluation; Radar tracking; semiconductor lasers; Surface emitting lasers; vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL); Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers; vertical-cavity lasers; Static characteristic; Waveform; Intermodulation distortion; Multimode laser; Wave modulation; Cell network; Noise level; Single mode laser; Analog modulation; noise; Analog system; Optical fiber; High performance; Optical links; Dynamic characteristic; vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL); Radar applications; Experimental study; Vertical cavity laser; Frequency characteristic; Microcellular radio; Experimental result; Integrated optoelectronics; Microwave field; Surface emitting laser; semiconductor lasers; Semiconductor laser; distortion
• ISSN: 0733-8724; 1558-2213; 1558-2213
• DOI: 10.1109/JLT.2002.802223

Motivated by the need for affordable, high-performance fiber-optic microwave links in fiber-fed microcellular networks and radar systems, we have performed a comprehensive experimental evaluation of the microwave modulation characteristics of high-speed oxide-confined vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) emitting at 840 nm. VCSELs with different oxide aperture diameters, including both single- and multimode lasers, have been used to track the dependence on modal behavior. The study includes both static and dynamic characteristics, with an emphasis on those of major importance for analog modulation. This includes the small-signal modulation response (S/sub 11/ and S/sub 21/), the relative intensity noise (RIN), and the intermodulation distortion. From this, we determine the spurious free dynamic range, the impedance characteristics, and the speed limitations.