Development of a visible VCSEL-to-plastic optical fibre module for use in high-speed optical data links

This paper presents a portion of the results that have emerged to date from the ESPRIT Long Term Research Project Bright Red Surface Emitting Lasers (BREDSELS-23455). The project's main objective has been to develop arrays of Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) emitting in the region of 650 nm. These VCSEL arrays, suitably coupled to plastic fibre ribbon, are potentially ideal sources for high-speed plastic optical fibre networks. Linear 1×8 VCSEL arrays have been fabricated with individual elements generating a peak room temperature power of 2 mW at 666.8 nm. These devices are capable of operating continuous wave to a temperature of 50 °C. The use of selective oxidation in the fabrication process is found to be essential. A brief description of the device results and POF module are presented.