1.55-$\mu$ m VCSEL With Enhanced Modulation Bandwidth and Temperature Range

InP-based vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) at 1.55-mum emission wavelength with improved modulation bandwidth and temperature behavior are demonstrated. Utilizing an improved active region, thermal design, and reduced chip parasitics, a superior modulation-bandwidth >10 GHz is achieved up to 85degC. The new VCSEL device is compared in detail with our reference design, analyzing all bandwidth-limiting elements. With their improved temperature range at invariant output power and minimal threshold change with temperature these VCSELs are especially qualified for uncooled operation in passive optical networks. Potential bit rates of 12.5 or even 17 Gb/s are expected with this kind of devices for cost-effective 100-G Ethernet solutions at metro-range.