Abstract: A temperature insensitive vertical cavity laser includes an active region, having a plurality of quantum wells, formed between first and second mirrors. The gain of each of said quantum wells or groups of quantum wells operate quasi-independently at different temperatures such that stimulated emission is dominated by a different quantum well or group of quantum wells at different temperatures.

Abstract: An optical subassembly includes a high speed ceramic substrate having cavity containing an array of photodetectors, and a glass or silicon window for covering the cavity and forming a hermetic seal. A retainer is attached to the window for direct or indirect attachment to a fiber. The hermetic seal protects the device from moisture and other environmental conditions. The window has an index of refraction higher than air that effectively increases the optical pathlength sufficient while maintaining an acceptable coupling efficiency between the optoelectronic device and a fiber. This provides increased spacing within which to place and interconnect components within the cavity on the substrate. In alternate embodiments, the window is decoupled from direct contact with the retainer via a metal frame or ring. Decoupling the window from direct contact with the retainer helps prevent cracking of the window due to mismatches in the coefficients of thermal expansion between the window and the retainer.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device, such as a VCSEL, is disclosed whose transmission does not change upon encapsulation by a material such as plastic, epoxy or other suitable encapsulant with a known index of refraction. The surface reflection of the VCSEL surface is very different depending on whether it is terminated in air or the encapsulant, with a much larger reflection in the case of air. It is known that the surface reflection can be made out of phase with the rest of the mirror, effectively increasing the transmission. The amount of the transmission increase can be adjusted by controlling the thickness of the surface layer. Once the VCSEL is encapsulated, the surface reflection is reduced, and the transmission at the facet is increased but the dephased reflection is also reduced.

Abstract: A monolthically integrated VCSEL and photodetector, and a method of manufacturing same, are disclosed for applications where the VCSEL and photodetector require separate operation such as duplex serial data communications applications. A first embodiment integrates a VCSEL with an MSM photodetector on a semi-insulating substrate. A second embodiment builds the layers of a p-i-n photodiode on top of layers forming a VCSEL using a standard VCSEL process. The p-i-n layers are etched away in areas where VCSELs are to be formed and left where the photodetectors are to be formed. The VCSELs underlying the photodetectors are inoperable, and serve to recirculate photons back into the photodetector not initially absorbed. The transmit and receive pairs are packaged in a single package for interface to multifiber ferrules. The distance between the devices is precisely defined photolithographically, thereby making alignment easier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for burning in a semiconductor wafer having a plurality of active devices utilizes temporary conductive interconnect layers to separately couple at least a portion of the anodes of the active devices together as well as at least a portion of the cathodes of the devices together. A simplified probed pad, having a reduced number of contacts may then be utilized to apply a substantially constant voltage or current to the devices. The temporary conductive interconnect layer may be patterned to include device level resistors or array level resistors that may be used to mitigate the effects of short circuits or open circuits on the processing of the devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for driving lasers. An example laser driving system includes a laser current controller for providing a modulation signal and a bias signal. The modulation signal and bias signal is used by a plurality of high-speed current drivers that accept the modulation signal and the bias signal and produce a plurality of laser drive signals. The example system also has a disable input that disconnects power from a high-speed current driver when the high-speed current driver is not in use. The exemplary system develops the modulation and bias signals by feeding back a signal developed from detection of laser light from one of the lasers driven by the system. The laser may be a data laser or a control laser that is modulated by a signal having a lower frequency than the data lasers. If a control laser is used then the photodetector circuit used for feedback can have a lower frequency response because of the lower frequency of the control laser signal.

Abstract: A method for making a transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) is provided. In the method, an alignment in the Z-direction between a fiber stub array (FSA) and a VCSEL array is performed first. Then, an alignment in the X-Y direction is performed. A rough prealignment in the X-Y direction may also be performed prior to the alignment in Z-direction. A vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array may be hermetically sealed using a lens assembly or by using a separate lid assembly. The hermetic sealing and attaching of different components may be achieved by laser welding and/or soldering or any other suitable method.

Abstract: A pluggable optical transceiver having a pivotable actuator assembly for quickly and easily removing the transceiver from a receptacle cage assembly is provided. The actuator assembly includes a slide member, actuator means, and spring means. The rotation of the actuator causes the transceiver to become disengaged from the receptacle. In this manner, the transceiver is released and can be removed easily from the receptacle.

Abstract: System and optical communication that may be employed to couple together fiber optic arrays of two or more optical communication modules using parallel fiber optic connectors and physically distinct and signal-independent optical communication paths. The disclosed systems and methods may be employed to provide separate single-independent communication paths having signal transport characteristics that meet standards required for single fiber single point-to-single point applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the optical power output of a VCSEL uses refracted ray coupling to direct rays refracted out of an optical transmission medium, towards a photodetector. The photodetector is coupled to feedback circuitry and laser control circuitry capable of adjusting the VCSEL based on the monitored power output. A portion of the rays that enter the optical fiber are refracted out of the optical fiber by means of high-index materials and directed toward the photodetector by reflective surfaces situated around the coupling region in which the VCSEL is coupled to the optical fiber.

Abstract: An opto-electronic device configured as a photodetector has a capacitor and/or resistor monolithically formed on a surface of the photodetector. The capacitor capacitively couples the AC ground of the photodetector to the bias terminal of the photodetector. The on chip capacitor design eliminates the inductance of external circuit traces between the power supply and an external capacitor. The resistor forces the AC return current of the photodetector through the AC ground in preference to the typical (DC bias terminal) path. Combinations of capacitors and resistors are particularly effective in reducing crosstalk among adjacent detectors in arrays.

Abstract: A pluggable optical transceiver having a pivotable actuator assembly for quickly and easily removing the transceiver from a receptacle cage is provided. The actuator assembly includes a pivotable lever arm and a slide member that can slide in a forward and rearward direction. Force is first applied to the actuator lever so that it pivots and rotates to a different position. Then, as force is applied to the pivoted actuator lever, the slide member slides rearwardly causing the transceiver to become disengaged from the receptacle. In this manner, the transceiver is released and can be removed easily from the receptacle.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an optical interface unit provides an interface between an optoelectronic device and industry standard MTP/MPO connectors. The optical interface unit axially aligns the core of a fiber with the optoelectronic device and interfaces that fiber to the standardized connector. In addition, the optical interface unit further provides a standardized interface for visible contact connection between the individual fiber stubs and the terminated fibers in the standardized connector. The optical interface unit therefore maximizes coupling from the optoelectronic device with the standardized connector.

Abstract: A pluggable optical transceiver having a slidable actuator assembly for quickly and easily removing the transceiver from a receptacle cage assembly is provided. The actuator assembly includes an actuator collar and slide member that can slide in a forward and rearward direction. As force is exerted on the actuator collar, the actuator and slide member slide rearwardly causing the transceiver to become disengaged from the receptacle. In this manner, the transceiver is released and can be removed easily from the receptacle.

Abstract: During assembly of a transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA), an alignment in Z-direction between a fiber stub array (FSA) and a VCSEL array is performed first, then an alignment in X-Y direction is performed. A rough pre-alignment in X-Y direction may also be performed prior to the alignment in Z-direction. A vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array may be hermetically sealed using a lens assembly or by using a separate lid assembly. The hermetic sealing and attaching of different components may be achieved by laser welding and/or soldering or any other suitable method.

Abstract: A housing for optoelectronic devices provides EMI shielding and axial strain suppression for optical fibers coupled to optoelectronic devices retained within the housing. The housing includes an internal septum for EMI shielding and a grounding scheme including relief features of the conductive housing coupled to internal grounding strips. The housing provides a first exemplary engaging/locking feature including an orthogonal tongue and a groove that receives the tongue, and a second exemplary engaging/locking feature that includes a groove having an intermittently varying cross-sectional area and that retains a gasket of constant cross-sectional area. Arms extend from tho housing and retain an optical fiber that is secured to the arm by an adhesive such that axial strain is not exerted at the point of optical coupling and a high optical coupling efficiency is maintained.

Abstract: A PIN photodetector includes reduced parasitic capacitance and is suitable for high-speed applications. Metal interconnect leads are coupled to the photodetector and extend over electrically insulating regions which reduce or eliminate parasitic capacitance. The electrically insulating regions may be formed by a deep proton implantation process which introduces impurities into the N-type layer, P-type layer and intrinsic layer in portions of the inactive area according to one embodiment. In another embodiment, the electrically insulating regions may be formed by removing parts of the film stack that includes N-type layer, P-type layer and intrinsic layer, from portions of the inactive area, introducing impurities and optionally adding a dielectric material. The PIN photodetector may take on the shape of a mesa to provide contact to each of the upper and lower electrodes.

Abstract: A method of forming a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (100, 600, 900) includes process steps for self-aligning the p-type ohmic contact (118, 518, 932), an oxide current aperture (122, 926a), and a central puck of re-phase material (560a, 936) around the optical axis of the laser.

Abstract: A surface emitting laser with spatially varying optical loss to provide single mode operation. The optical loss may be introduced with an anti-phased ohmic contacts. Current injection may be constricted to a diameter that is different than the diameter of the ohmic aperture, allowing for optimization of carrier profiles for high-speed performance. Methods for index guiding are introduced to further the reproducibility of the invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling light from an array of optoelectronic devices to a corresponding array of fibers contained in a fiber optic ferrule is disclosed. The fibers may be single-mode or multi-mode optical fibers. The method includes fixing the fiber optic ferrule to the optical subassembly (OSA) base upon which the array of optoelectronic devices will be affixed, aligning the array of optoelectronic devices to the corresponding array of fibers, then securing the array of optoelectronic devices to the OSA base. In one embodiment, the module includes an optical subassembly module housing a linear array of 1300 nm VCSELs or photodetectors, spaced apart at a 250 micron pitch to correspond to the spacing of optical fibers in a conventional MT ferrule. The array of optoelectronic devices is mounted on a substrate assembly that includes a weldable surface and one or more photodetectors for automatic power control.