Tunable long-wavelength vertical-cavity lasers: the engine of next generation optical networks?

The incredible growth of the Internet and data transmission are pushing the bandwidth requirements for fiber networks and expansion of metro and local area networks at an unprecedented pace. One of the key requirements for a great expansion of optical networks is low cost, high-performance tunable lasers that are easily packaged and coupled to fiber. The paper reviews the terrain of both materials and device technologies that are currently driving this optical revolution and speculates on the future directions and if a single, all encompassing technology, the "Holy Grail," might be realized by any of the contenders.