128 Gbit/s operation of AXEL with energy efficiency of 1.5 pJ/bit for optical interconnection

Abstract

SUMMARY We evaluated the energy efficiency per 1-bit transmission of an optical light source on InP substrate to achieve optical interconnection. A semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) assisted extended reach EADFB laser (AXEL) was utilized as the optical light source to enhance the energy efficiency compared to the conventional electro-absorption modulator integrated with a DFB laser (EML). The AXEL has frequency bandwidth extendibility for operation of over 100 Gbit/s, which is difficult when using a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) without an equalizer. By designing the AXEL for low power consumption, we were able to achieve 64-Gbit/s, 1.0 pJ/bit and 128-Gbit/s, 1.5 pJ/bit operation at 50 °C with the transmitter dispersion and eye closure quaternary of 1.1 dB.