IEEE Study Highlights Cryogenic VCSELs for High-Speed Optical Interconnects
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have demonstrated the potential of cryogenic vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (cryo-VCSELs) for high-speed optical interconnects. Published in IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, the study addresses the need for efficient data transmission in advanced infrared focal plane arrays (FPAs), which require rates exceeding 100 gigabits per second. Cryo-VCSELs offer a more energy-efficient alternative to conventional electrical interconnects, reducing thermal load and maintaining high data rates. The study found that these devices can achieve a 3-decibel modulation bandwidth of over 50 GHz at cryogenic temperatures, supporting data transmission speeds up to 138 Gb/s per lane. 
