37-GHz Modulation via Resonance Tuning in Single-Mode Coherent Vertical-Cavity Laser Arrays

Abstract

We show a significant improvement of modulation bandwidth from $2\times 1$ photonic crystal vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser arrays. Control of injection bias conditions to array elements enables resonance tuning of each element with variation of the phase relation and coherence of the array, resulting in the ability to tailor the modulation response. A bandwidth of 37 GHz is obtained under highly single-mode coherent operation with narrow spectral width and increased output power while the laser array is biased at low current density. Lasers with such performance characteristics may greatly enhance high-rate data transfer in computer server, data center, and supercomputer applications with potentially long device lifetime.