High-speed VCSELs for energy efficient computer interconnects

State-of-the-art vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) based optical interconnects for application in high performance computers and data centers are reviewed. Record energy-efficient data transmission is demonstrated with 850 nm single-mode VCSELs for multimode optical fiber lengths up to 1 km at bit rates up to 25 Gb/s. Total power consumption of less than 100 fJ/bit is demonstrated for VCSELs for the first time. Extremely temperature stable 980-nm VCSELs show lasing up to 200 °C. Error-free 44 Gb/s operation at room temperature and 38 Gb/s up to 85 °C is achieved with these devices. We present record-high bit rates in a wide temperature range of more than 160 °C. Record energy-efficient data-transmission beyond 30 Gb/s is achieved at 25 °C for this wavelength range. In view of the high speed and advanced temperature stability we suggest long wavelength VCSELs for energy-efficient short and very short-distance optical interconnects for future high performance computers.

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