3.1-Gbit/s 850-nm VCSELs Produce Highly Stable Beams

The ZL60001/60002 family of oxide-confined 850-nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) is said to generate a light beam of unmatched high stability, overcoming the effects of current and temperature. Designed for 3.1-Gbit/s data rates, the family's patent-pending optical system minimizes variations in the optical far field when current and temperature change. The output beam closely matches the circular shape of the fiber core for high coupling efficiency and minimum risk of partition noise.

These VCSELs feature 1/0.5 mW minimum of fiber-coupled output optical power, 1.5/0.7 mW minimum of output optical power, and 1 mA of threshold current from 0°C to 70°C. They target Gigabit Ethernet, InfiniBand, Fibre Channel, asynchronous transfer mode, and other communications applications. Additional features include 1.6-V minimum forward voltage, 0.85-nm rms spectral bandwidth, and maximum relative intensity noise of −120 dB/Hz. The ZL6002 includes a photodiode to monitor optical power.

In 100,000-unit lots, the ZL60001 and ZL60002 cost $6 and $8 each, respectively. Both come in three-pin TO-46 cases and are available in volume production.

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