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EPSRC Reference: GR/J91074/02
Title: DATA COMMUMICATIONS USING VERTICAL CAVITY SURFACE EMITTING LASER SOURCES
Principal Investigator: White, Professor I
Other Investigators:
Penty, Professor R Laughton, Dr F
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Organisation: University of Bristol
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 January 1996 Ends: 13 May 1998 Value (£): 116,514
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Optical Communications Optoelect. Devices & Circuits
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
This project proposes, in collaboration with Hewlett Packard Laboratories, to investigate and optimise the performance of vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) devices for application in high speed multimode optical fibre (MMF) data links. The project is in two parts;(I) the investigation of multimode VCSELs able to show low modal noise and relative intensity noise for MMF communication systems operating in excess of I GB/s and(ii) the development of multiwavelength sources for increasing transmission capacity along a single fibre link.Progress:Initial work has been carried out primarily to determine optimum device structures for single channel MMF link applications. It has been observed that multimode VCSELs provide excellent modal noise performance which is superior to that of edge emitting standard or self pulsing laser diodes. In collaboration with Hewlett Packard, full link tests have been carried out showing that bit error rates of less than 10-13 can be achieved even for link mode selective losses of greater than 12dB. It has been identified that polarisation dichroism can strongly assist modal noise performance. Coding is not required to ensure low error operation [1].Theoretical work has included the development of the first large signal noise theory for VCSELs and a rate equation model to investigate mode interaction characteristics [2].Preliminary studies of general VCSEL behaviour have been carried out to determine device constants. Experiments have allowed the determination of the carrier recombination constants, the device differential gains and the linewidth enhancement factors. Linewidth enhancement factors as low as 0.7 have been observed [3].Designs of multiwavelength VCSELs have been initiated. In collaboration with Hewlett Packard, work has also begun on optimising the design of the VCSELs for single wavelength MMF applications and preparing rigorous characterisation procedures for the new devices. 1. D. Cunningham, A.N. Coles, D. Hanson, I.H. White, L. Raddatz and M. Nowell, ATM Forum Document: 95-0025, 1995.2. H.D. Summers, P.Dowd, I.H. White, M.R. Tan and S-Y. Wang, to be presented at the Conference on Lasers and Electro-optics, CLEO '95, 1995.3. L. Raddatz, I.H. White, K.H. Hahn, M.R. Tan and S-Y Wang, Elect Lett., 1994, 30, p.1991.
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Organisation Website: http://www.bris.ac.uk