Abstract

Optical interconnects for data communication between and within computers will eventually replace electrical interconnects only if the optical interconnects are smaller, consume less power, and have larger data transmission capacity. The requirements for laser diodes for optical interconnects are therefore quite demanding. The laser diodes have to be efficient, temperature insensitive, small, and reliable and must display low noise. Special attention has to also be given to the problem of coupling arrays of laser diodes to optical fibers or optical waveguides within a small package. Eventually the electronic driving circuit should be integrated monolithically to decrease the size and power dissipation of the transmitter even further. AlGaAs quantum-well laser diodes with etched mirror facets fabricated in a full wafer technology (FWT) meet most of these requirementsand are therefore the prime choice for optical interconnects.

© 1990 Optical Society of America