We fabricated a p-i-n photodiode (PD) with an integrated microlens, and demonstrated its high performance capabilities including high speed (35 GHz), high responsivity (0.8 A/W), and large misalignment tolerance (26 µm), and an error-free 25-Gbit/s 10-km single-mode fiber transmission by using a 100-Gbit/s Ethernet quadplexer receiver module with the PDs.

We propose an InGaAlAs waveguide p-i-n photodiode (WG-PD) with a thick symmetric double-core for surface-hybrid integration onto optical platforms, which can be applied to low cost optical modules for access networks. The waveguide structure is designed to efficiently couple to flat-ended single mode fibers while maintaining low-voltage (less than 2 V) operation. Crystal growth conditions and a passivation technique are also investigated for obtaining high responsivity, low dark current and highly reliable operation. Fiber-coupled responsivity as high as 0.95 A/W, at a 1.3-µm wavelength, and vertical coupling tolerance as wide as 2.6 µm are demonstrated for a dispersion-shifted fiber (DSF) coupling at an operating voltage of 2 V. Dark current is as low as 300 pA at 25 and 12 nA at 100. A temperature accelerated aging test is performed to show the feasibility of using the WG-PD in long-term practical applications.

A dual-core spot size converter (DC-SSC) is integrated with a lateral grating assisted lateral co-directional coupler (LGLC) tunable laser by using no additional complicated fabrication processes. The excess loss due to the DC-SSC is only 0.5 dB, and narrow full width half maximums (FWHMs) of vertical and horizontal far-field patterns (FFPs) produced by the laser are about 25° and 20°. This integration causes no degradations of the performance of the LGLC laser; in other words, it maintains good lasing characteristics, namely, wide tuning range of over 68 nm and SMSR of over 35 dB in the C-band under a 50 semi-cooled condition.

We have developed a high-speed electroabsorption modulator integrated distributed feedback (EA/DFB) lasers. Transmission performance over 10 km was investigated under 25 Gbps and 43 Gbps modulation. In addition, the feasibility of wide temperature range operation was also investigated. An uncooled EA/DFB laser can contribute to the realization of low-power-consumption, small-footprint and cost-effective transceiver module. In this study, we used the temperature-tolerant InGaAlAs materials in an EA modulator. A wide temperature ranged 12 km transmission with over 9.6 dB dynamic extinction ratio was demonstrated under 25 Gbps modulation. A 43 Gbps 10 km transmission was also demonstrated. The laser achieved a clear, opened eye diagram with a dynamic extinction ratio over 7 dB from 25 to 85. The modulated output power was more than +2.9 dBm even at 85. These devices are suitable for next-generation, high-speed network systems, such as 40 Gbps and 100 Gbps Ethernet.

A lens-integrated surface-emitting DFB laser and its application to low-cost single-mode optical sub-assemblies (OSAs) are discussed. By using the LISEL, high-efficient optical coupling with reduced number of optical components and non-hermetic packaging are demonstrated. Designing the integrated lens of LISELs makes it possible to achieve passive alignment optical coupling to an SMF without the need for an additional lens. For SiP coupling, the light-emission angle from the LISEL can be controlled by the mirror angle and by displacing the lens. The capability for a low coupling loss of 3.9 dB between the LISEL and a grating coupler on the SiP platform was demonstrated. The LISEL with facet-free structure, integrating DBR mirror, PD, and window structure on its end facet, showed the same lasing performance as the conventional laser with AR facet coating. A storage test (200-hour saturated pressure-cooker test (PCT) at 138°C and 85% RH.) showed that the lasing characteristics did not degrade with high-humidity, demonstrating the potential for applying non-hermetic packaging. Our results indicate that the LISEL is one of the promising light sources for creating cost-effective OSAs.