Product category:
Lasers
News Release from: Zarlink Semiconductor | Subject: ZL60001/2
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 01 April 2003
Stable beams boost comms laser
performance
A new family of 850nm oxide-confined VCSELs improves the performance of optical equipment by generating a light beam of unmatched stability - overcoming the effects of current and temperature.
Zarlink Semiconductor has a new family of 850nm oxide-confined VCSELs (vertical cavity surface emitting lasers) that improves the performance of optical equipment by generating a light beam of unmatched stability - overcoming the effects of current and temperature With traditional VCSEL devices, fluctuations in current or temperature cause changes to the shape and angle of the light beam emitted from the laser
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 7 Feb 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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Beam shape variations outside the VCSEL - in the optical far-field region - create fluctuations in the amount of light that can be captured by and coupled to an optical fibre.
To compensate for unpredictable light levels, current VCSEL solutions typically require customised fibre connectors that are equipped with external lenses to create a stable and uniform beam, and focus the light into the fibre.
The key innovation in Zarlink's new ZLTM60001/2 family of VCSEL devices is a patent-pending optical system that minimises variations in the optical far field when current and temperature change.
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Zarlink's unique VCSEL optical system produces a very stable output beam that closely matches the circular shape of the fibre core.
As a result, the VCSEL achieves a high "coupling efficiency" and can be used with standardised fibre connectors, eliminating the need for customised connectors with lenses.
The high and stable coupling efficiency also minimises the risk of mode partition noise.
"With our VCSEL devices, customers achieve a greater level of stability in optical transceiver modules, and reduce their costs because it's easier to achieve fibre alignment", said Bengt Ehrensparre, Product Line Manager, Optical Networking, Zarlink Semiconductor.
Zarlink's ZL60001/2 VCSEL devices operate at up to 3.1Gbit/s, and are designed for equipment operating at short (740 to 920nm) wavelengths.
The devices are aimed at Gigabit Ethernet, Infiniband, Fibre Channel, ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) and other communications applications.
Zarlink's ZL60001/2 devices also improve the accuracy of the monitor current and result in better control over power output levels.
Monitor diodes are commonly used in VCSEL devices to monitor the laser's output power.
In most oxide-confined VCSELs, light beam variations cause changes in the amount of current produced by the monitor diode, leading to a lack of linearity between monitor current and VCSEL output power.
Thus, the true output power from the VCSEL cannot be read out from the monitor current, which means the monitor cannot accurately compensate for changes in output power.
This can lead to increased current being driven through the VCSEL, potentially resulting in high power levels that exceed eye-safety requirements and harm long-term device reliability.
The capability of Zarlink's new VCSEL devices to produce a stable output beam over current and temperature achieves a monitor current that is linearly related to the output power of the VCSEL over the whole current and temperature range.
High linearity enables the monitor to accurately compensate for variations in output power, eliminating the risk of exceeding eye-safety power levels and extending reliability.
Zarlink's ZL60001 and ZL60002 base models are now in volume production.
The devices are offered in a variety of packaging options, with different bonding options, power levels, temperature ranges, and housings, such as the industry-standard TO-46, pigtail, ST and SC housings, as well as customised receptacles.
In 100,000-off quantities, the ZL60001 (VCSEL without monitor) is priced at US$6.00, and the ZL60002 (with monitor) is priced at $8.00.
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