Abstract

Long-wavelength vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (LW-VCSELs) emitting in the 1.3-to 1.6-micron wavelength range can better match the transmission properties of fiber to provide high-performance, low-cost transmitters for optical networks with a longer reach and higher data capacity than 850 nm VCSELs. For local area networks (LAN) and storage area networks (SAN), there is growing demand for higher bandwidth over the large installed base of conventional multimode fibers (MMF). For these legacy fibers, LW-VCSELs offer a low cost solution for upgrading the network capacity to 10 Gb/s and extending its reach to longer distances. For single-mode fiber-based systems, LW-VCSELs offer many of the performance features of a DFB laser but at a much lower cost.

© 2004 Optical Society of America