VCSEL Based Coherent PONs

Abstract

We present a review of research performed in the area of coherent access technologies employing vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs). Experimental demonstrations of optical transmission over a passive fiber link with coherent detection using VCSEL local oscillators and directly modulated VCSEL transmitters at bit rates up to 10 Gbps in the C-band as well as in the O-band are presented. The broad linewidth and frequency chirp associated with directly modulated VCSELs are utilized in an envelope detection receiver scheme which is demonstrated digitally (off-line) as well as analog (real-time). Additionally, it is shown that in the optical front-end of a coherent receiver for access networks, the 90 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">°</sup> hybrid can be replaced by a 3-dB coupler. The achieved results show that VCSELs are attractive light source candidates for transmitter as well as local oscillator for coherent detection PONs.