Low-Power VCSEL-Based Optical Links
In past work, we have demonstrated that directly modulated vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) links can achieve speeds >>50Gb/s and wall-plug efficiencies better than 1 pJ/bit. We continue to work on pushing the limits of VCSEL links through full-link equalization that holistically considers the photonic devices, driver and receiver circuits, and packaging to maximize bandwidth and sensitivity while minimizing power consumption. VCSEL links continue to be critical in datacenters and the workhorse optical technology for high performance computing (HPC) with the highest performing systems using over 500,000 VCSEL-based interconnects.
