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Unipolar quantum optoelectronics for high speed direct modulation and transmission in 8–14 µm atmospheric window.

Authors :
Dely, Hamza
Joharifar, Mahdieh
Durupt, Laureline
Ostrovskis, Armands
Schatz, Richard
Bonazzi, Thomas
Maisons, Gregory
Gacemi, Djamal
Salgals, Toms
Zhang, Lu
Spolitis, Sandis
Sun, Yan-Ting
Bobrovs, Vjačeslavs
Yu, Xianbin
Sagnes, Isabelle
Pantzas, Konstantinos
Vasanelli, Angela
Ozolins, Oskars
Pang, Xiaodan
Sirtori, Carlo
Source :
Nature Communications; 9/14/2024, Vol. 15 Issue 1, p1-11, 11p
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

The large mid-infrared (MIR) spectral region, ranging from 2.5 µm to 25 µm, has remained under-exploited in the electromagnetic spectrum, primarily due to the absence of viable transceiver technologies. Notably, the 8–14 µm long-wave infrared (LWIR) atmospheric transmission window is particularly suitable for free-space optical (FSO) communication, owing to its combination of low atmospheric propagation loss and relatively high resilience to turbulence and other atmospheric disturbances. Here, we demonstrate a direct modulation and direct detection LWIR FSO communication system at 9.1 µm wavelength based on unipolar quantum optoelectronic devices with a unprecedented net bitrate exceeding 55 Gbit s<superscript>−1</superscript>. A directly modulated distributed feedback quantum cascade laser (DFB-QCL) with high modulation efficiency and improved RF-design was used as a transmitter while two high speed detectors utilizing meta-materials to enhance their responsivity are employed as receivers; a quantum cascade detector (QCD) and a quantum-well infrared photodetector (QWIP). We investigate system tradeoffs and constraints, and indicate pathways forward for this technology beyond 100 Gbit s<superscript>−1</superscript> communication. High-resolution pulse shaping is highly sought after, but existing systems are impractical outside of laboratory settings. Here, the authors introduce a chip-scale spectral shaper that uses high-Q microresonator filter banks and inline phase control to manipulate lines at GHz-level spacing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20411723
Volume :
15
Issue :
1
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Nature Communications
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
179649644
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-52053-7