Optimization of mode numbers of VCSELs for small-cell backhaul applications

This paper reports optical orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) transmission using 850 nm Zn-diffusion Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) and multimode fiber (MMF) for small-cell backhaul applications. We also investigated the influence of side mode suppression ratio (SMSR) on the performance of OFDM modulation. By further optimizing the Zn-diffusion conditions and oxide aperture size, a high-power (6.7 mW) SM (SMSR>30 dB) VCSEL is demonstrated. By using OFDM modulation and bit-loading algorithm, record-high BRDP (91 Gb/s km) at 26 Gb/s transmission under FEC threshold (bit error rate (BER)<3.8×10−3) across 3.5 km OM4 fiber has been successfully demonstrated.