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Distributed-MIMO (D-MIMO) is a prospective solution for next-generation mobile networks to increase capacity and coverage. We experimentally validate 1024-QAM coherent joint transmissions in a two transmitter D-MIMO network including radio-over-LWIR FSO fronthaul links facilitating deployment and achieving diversity and power gains close to theoretical values., Part of ISBN 979-8-3503-1261-4QC 20240209

This study explores the potential of long-wave infrared free-space optical (FSO) transmission that leverages multilevel signals to attain high spectral efficiency. The FSO transmission system consists of a directly modulated-quantum cascade laser (DM-QCL) operating at 9.15 mu m and a mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) detector. To fully understand the system, we conduct measurements on the DM-QCL chip and MCT detector and assess the overall amplitude response of the DM-QCL, MCT detector, and all electrical components. We apply various signals, including on-off keying (OOK), 4-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM4), 6-level PAM (PAM6), and 8-level PAM (PAM8) to maximize the bit rate and spectral efficiency of the FSO transmission. Through a two-dimensional sweeping of the laser bias current and MCT detector photovoltage, we optimize the transmission performance. At the optimal operation point, the FSO system achieved impressive results which are up to 6 Gbaud OOK, 3.5 Gbaud PAM4, 3 Gbaud PAM6, and 2.7 Gbaud PAM8 signal transmissions, with a bit error rate performance below 6.25% overhead hard decision-forward error correction limit when the DM-QCL operates at 10 degrees C. We also evaluate the eye diagrams and stability of the system to showcase its remarkable transmission performance. Our findings suggest that the DM-QCL and MCT detector-based FSO transceivers offer a highly competitive solution for the next generation of optical wireless communication systems., QC 20231115

We experimentally test the compliance with 5G/NR 3GPP technical specifications of an analog radio-over-FSO link at 9 mu m. The ACLR and EVM transmitter requirements are fulfilled validating the suitability of LWIR FSO for 6G fronthaul., QC 20230810Part of ISBN 979-8-3503-1229-4

Since about one and half centuries ago, at the dawn of modern communications, the radio and the optics have been two separate electromagnetic spectrum regions to carry data. Differentiated by their generation/detection methods and propagation properties, the two paths have evolved almost independently until today. The optical technologies dominate the long-distance and high-speed terrestrial wireline communications through fiber-optic telecom systems, whereas the radio technologies have mainly dominated the short- to medium-range wireless scenarios. Now, these two separate counterparts are both facing a sign of saturation in their respective roadmap horizons, particularly in the segment of free-space communications. The optical technologies are extending into the mid-wave and long-wave infrared (MWIR and LWIR) regimes to achieve better propagation performance through the dynamic atmospheric channels. Radio technologies strive for higher frequencies like the millimeter-wave (MMW) and sub-terahertz (sub-THz) to gain broader bandwidth. The boundary between the two is becoming blurred and intercrossed. During the past few years, we witnessed technological breakthroughs in free-space transmission supporting very high data rates, many achieved with the assistance of photonics. This paper focuses on such photonics-assisted free-space communication technologies in both the lower and upper sides of the THz gap and provides a detailed review of recent research and development activities on some of the key enabling technologies. Our recent experimental demonstrations of high-speed free-space transmissions in both frequency regions are also presented as examples to show the system requirements for device characteristics and digital signal processing (DSP) performance., QC 20220614

We present a reverse-taper quantum cascade laser (QCL) emitting at 4.6 mu m, a novel-geometry device that can scale the output power while maintaining good beam quality. Buried-ridge waveguides with tapered and straight regions were formed by ICP etching and HVPE regrowth - the tapered region scales the output power, while the emitting facet is located at the narrow-end taper section, which provides mode filtering by suppressing high-order spatial modes. Beam profiles were observed under quasi-continuous-wave (QCW)/CW operation and beam quality (M-2) measurements along with beam-stability measurements were performed - a small degree of collimated-beam centroid movement (<0.46 mrad, peak-to-peak) was observed, along with M-2 values close to 1 up to similar to 1 W QCW power. Devices of shorter cavity lengths were also investigated, indicating that the output power scales with the core-region volume but results in a small increase in angular deviation., QC 20220506

A roadmap for future wireless communications is expected to exploit all transmission-suitable spectrum bands, from the microwave to the optical frequencies, to support orders of magnitude faster data transfer with much lower latency than the deployed solutions nowadays. The currently under-exploited mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectrum is an essential building block for such an envisioned all-spectra wireless communication paradigm. Free-space optical (FSO) communications in the mid-IR region have recently attracted great interest due to their intrinsic merits of low propagation lass and high tolerance of atmospheric perturbations. Future development of viable mid-IR FSO transceivers requires a semiconductor source to fulfill the high bandwidth, low energy consumption, and small footprint requirements. In this context, quantum cascade laser (QCL) appears as a promising technological choice. In this work, we present an experimental demonstration of a mid-IR FSO link enabled by a 4.65-mu m directly modulated (DM) QCL operating at room temperature. We achieve a transmission data rate of up to 6 Gbps over a 0.5-m link distance. This achievement is enabled by system-level characterization and optimization of transmitter and receiver power level and frequency response and assisted with advanced modulation and digital signal processing (DSP) techniques. This work pushes the QCL-based FSO technology one step closer to practical terrestrial applications, such as the fixed wireless access and the wireless mobile backhaul. Such a QCL-based solution offers a promising way towards the futuristic all-spectra wireless communication paradigm by potentially supporting the whole spectrum from the MIR to the terahertz (THz)., QC 20220429

High crystal quality GaAsP/Si fabricated by cost effective heteroepitaxial technology is promising to realize low-cost Si based tandem solar cell with efficiency higher than 30%. In this work, epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELOG) of GaAsP/GaAs and GaAsP/GaAs/Si by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) and their properties are studied by photoluminescence (PL) mapping. High crystal quality ELOG GaAsP/Si is obtained with enhanced PL intensity and narrow line width indicating reduced defect density provided by ELOG approach., QC 20230622

We report our recent studies in photonics-assisted free-space transmissions in both the lower (0.3-0.5 THz) and upper- (similar to 64.5 THz) terahertz bands. We adopt the hybrid electro-optical approach for the lower-THz signal transmission, whereas a directly modulated quantum cascade laser is used for the upper-THz band., Part of proceedings: ISBN 978-1-6654-3868-1QC 20220810

We report on an experimental demonstration of a mid-infrared free-space communication link enabled by a directly modulated quantum cascade laser operating at room temperature. A record high transmission rate up to 6 Gbps over 50-cm link distance is demonstrated at 4.65 mu m wavelength., QC 20220811Part of proceedings: ISBN 978-1-6654-3868-1

Novel-geometry, 4.6 mu m-emitting BH QCLs were fabricated, where a tapered region scales the output power and, ahead of the emitting aperture, a narrow section provides mode filtering for suppressing high-order spatial modes. Beam-stability measurements indicate a small degree of collimated-beam centroid motion (< 0.25 mrad)., Part of proceedings: ISBN 978-1-6654-4133-9QC 20220509

We propose a comb-locked multi-channel transmitter with high-speed VCSELs injection-locked by an optical frequency comb. VCSEL dynamics are analyzed with various injection parameters including number of comb tones, frequency detuning and injection ratio. We evaluate the performance of filtering and amplification effect when multiple comb tones injection into single VCSEL, and estimate the transmission performance considering the reflection from VCSEL. Compared to intrinsic parameters of VCSEL, a 2-fold increase in frequency response and a 2.6 10 4-fold reduction in linewidth have been verified experimentally when the bandwidth-limited VCSEL locked to an incident comb line. 14-Gb/s single-lane transmission is demonstrated through 20 km single-mode fiber based on a 3.4-GHz VCSEL without any dispersion compensation. The similar performance can be achieved for all generated 25 comb tones, verifying a potential high-capacity transmitter with distinct feature of two-dimensional VCSELs, QC 20211207

Heteroepitaxial growth of orientation-patterned GaP on patterned GaAs template was developed by using hydride vapor phase epitaxy for quasi-phase-matching applications. We present the growth with well-defined periodic boundaries between (001) and (00 1) GaP domains. The GaP layer on planar GaAs was characterized by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and the conductivity of GaP (0.16 S cm-1) was obtained in terahertz range., Not duplicate with DiVA 1366349Part of proceedings: ISBN 978-1-7281-0080-7QC 20230921