Optical interconnection network for massively parallel processors using beam-steering vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers

An ultra dense optical interconnection network is proposed for massively parallel processors. Using two dimensional arrays of beam steering vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSEL) as space division switching elements, a single chip, free space photonic banyan network (or other multi stage networks) can be constructed. Our scheme does not require critical optical alignment and can be easily packaged in compact chips. The optical beam steering of VCSELs are realized with an integrated beam router. Steering angles as large as 10/spl deg/ from surface normal direction have been demonstrated. The VCSEL has a threshold current of 4 mA and output power of 1 mW (for 4 /spl mu/m/spl times/8 /spl mu/m device) and a modulation bandwidth of 10 GHz. Dynamic switching of optical beam angles at 2 GHz has been demonstrated.