Analysis of High Speed Operation of a VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser)

Student: Andrew Ross Armstrong

Supervisor: Dr. Aleks Rakic

Category: Electrical Engineering Thesis Project

Lasers are becoming increasingly important in the field of high speed communication. Used in conjunction with optical fibres and photo-detectors, lasers can be used to form reliable, cost effective communication systems that operate at tens of gigabits per second. Traditional in-plane lasers are increasingly being replaced by Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) due to their many advantages, including significantly lower manufacturing costs.

This Thesis focuses on analysing the operation of a VCSEL. Many characteristics are investigated, including simple Light-Current and Optical Spectrum characteristics. Extensive investigation is also carried out into determining the Relative Intensity Noise (RIN) of the VCSEL, which is the quantum noise limit of the device. The small signal response of the Laser is also investigated up into the Giga-Hertz range.

Poster Presentation (PDF)

Thesis Document (PDF)

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