Evaluation of Gain Quenching Vertical Cavity Lasers with In-Plane Lasers for Smart Pixel Switching.
Abstract
A detailed study of monolithically integrated, intracavity coupled in plane and vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) for smart pixel switching is performed. It is shown that the extent to which the VCSEL section output is quenched depends on the overlap of the two lasers' gain regions, and on the in plane laser bias current. Complete quenching of the VCSEL output to a small spontaneous emission level is demonstrated under proper operating conditions, as indicated by an upward shift in VCSEL lasing threshold current and by truncation of short pulses. The VCSEL output is an amplified and inverted version of the input signal to the in plane laser section. The combined device is also shown to be bistable, and an all optical two input NOR gate is demonstrated to show the flexibility of this new switching technology. Two in plane lasers are intracavity coupled to a common VCSEL section, which serves as the output device. A contrast ratio of at least 5:1 is measured between the logic 0 and logic 1 states. Potential applications of the in plane VCSEL smart pixel include free space interconnects, other all optical logic gates, and optical memory devices which would be utilized, for example, in an all optical time slot interchange switch or a dense wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA299610
Entities
People
- C. L. Tang
- D. B. Shire
Organizations
- Cornell University College of Engineering