German start-up commercializes VCSEL technology

17 Jun 2002

Four researchers from Ulm University, Germany, have set up a firm to commercialize VCSEL technology for high-performance optical interconnects.

ULM Photonics is a joint venture between members of the optoelectronics department at Ulm University and Schott Communications Technology - the US subsidiary of German company Schott Glass, which has invested more than DEM 10 million.

The start-up's products will be based on oxide-confined VCSEL technology that has been developed at Ulm. Martin Grabherr, manager of device production, said: "We were the first group in Europe to use this method."

Oxide-confined VCSELs are efficient laser sources with low threshold currents and high modulation bandwidths. Many companies are starting to investigate the technology and some are about to ramp up production.

"By the beginning of 2001 we will be able to supply efficient, high-speed multimode VCSELs for datacom applications of up to 1 Gbit/s as single devices, linear arrays or dense large-scale two-dimensional arrays at 850 and 980 nm wavelengths," said Grabherr. "High-performance singlemode VCSELs will then complete the portfolio."

Story courtesy of Opto & Laser Europe magazine.