Low-current 1.3-µm edge-emitting LED for single-mode fiber subscriber loop applications

Light-emitting diodes coupled to single-mode fiber can offer an economical and reliable alternative to the use of diode lasers in many single-mode fiber systems. This paper describes index-guided InGaAsP edge-emitting LED's (ELED's) which couple 7 μW into single-mode fiber at a drive current of only 20 mA. The devices exhibit rise times of less than 1.5 ns and can be modulated at data rates in excess of 432 Mbit/s. Operating characteristics of these low-current ELED's are well-suited for single-mode fiber subscriber loop applications.