Microcavity VCSELs for cryogenic single-mode optical data link to achieve 28 fJ/bit at 136 Gbps

Z Zetai Liu (Nick Holonyak, Jr. Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign , 208 N Wright St, Urbana, Illinois 61801,) D Derek Chaw (Nick Holonyak, Jr. Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign , 208 N Wright St, Urbana, Illinois 61801,) H Haonan Wu (Institute for Innovative Materials and Energy School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Yangzhou University Yangzhou 225002 China) Y Yulin He (Nick Holonyak, Jr. Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign , 208 N Wright St, Urbana, Illinois 61801,) M Milton Feng (Nick Holonyak, Jr. Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign , 208 N Wright St, Urbana, Illinois 61801,)

Abstract

We report on the development of microcavity vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) for cryogenic operation based on a 1/2-λ cavity and a <2-μm oxide aperture. Optical spectra show single-mode laser operation with a superior side-mode suppression ratio of 41 dB (3 K) and 36 dB (40 K) up to 8 mA. The microcavity laser operated at low bias current, I = 1.5 mA, demonstrates a 136 Gbps optical link at 40 K to achieve an ultralow energy consumption of 28 fJ/bit. Thus, high-speed cryogenic microcavity VCSELs are a cost-effective solution to deliver a higher energy-efficient optical data link.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 128, Issue 19
Published May 11, 2026
ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Applied Physics Letters

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0003-6951 Physical Sciences

Authors (5)

Z

Zetai Liu

Nick Holonyak, Jr. Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign , 208 N Wright St, Urbana, Illinois 61801,

D

Derek Chaw

Nick Holonyak, Jr. Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign , 208 N Wright St, Urbana, Illinois 61801,

H

Haonan Wu

Institute for Innovative Materials and Energy School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Yangzhou University Yangzhou 225002 China

Y

Yulin He

Nick Holonyak, Jr. Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign , 208 N Wright St, Urbana, Illinois 61801,

M

Milton Feng

Nick Holonyak, Jr. Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign , 208 N Wright St, Urbana, Illinois 61801,