SBIR-STTR Award

This Phase I Small Business Innovation Research proposal describes a program to develop practical, high-performance 1550nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) for next-generation datacom applications. Required of the VCSELs are: ability to be modulated at multi-Gb/s speeds; output power in excess of 2mW; ability to have these performances over 0º-85ºC temperatures; manufacturability; and extremely high reliability appropriate for datacom. The approach taken is a careful balance of use of existing techniques where possible and developing new techniques when necessary. The Phase I effort will involve evaluation of different materials approaches; selection of appropriate materials combinations; growth and evaluation of the material structures; and a "dress rehearsal" growth and characterization. An optional extension would attempt to grow, process and test an attempted 1550nm VCSEL. A materials-oriented subcontract to a well-equipped University will direct the initial bulk of the effort. A Phase II program would end with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) 1550nm VCSELs suitable for datacom applications in commercial and military environments. Anticipated Benefits and

Potential Commercial Applications:
The proposed 1550nm VCSELs could well be the workhorse in next-generation low-cost data links such as 10-Gigabit Ethernet. The market for transceivers using them should exceed $1Billion/year in 2005 and maintain high growth afterward. They may have other large and unforeseen applications where low cost and eye safety are required, such as in surveillance