First surface-emitting laser using quantum dots targets optical fiber communications

The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology of Japan, in collaboration with Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation (Sony), has developed the world’s first practical surface-emitting laser that employs quantum dot (QD) as the optical gain medium for use in optical fiber communication systems.

This achievement was made possible by NICT’s high-precision crystal growth technology and Sony’s advanced semiconductor processing technology. The surface-emitting laser developed in this study incorporates nanoscale semiconductor structures called quantum dots as light-emitting materials. This innovation not only facilitates the miniaturization and reduced power consumption of light sources in optical fiber communications systems but also offers potential cost reductions through mass production and enhanced output via integration.

The results of this research are published in Optics Express.

Modern communication technologies require large-capacity data transmission with minimal power consumption. Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) have attracted significant attention as a key technology that addresses these requirements, particularly in optical communications.

However, VCSELs typically operate in the near-infrared region, at wavelengths of 850 or 940 nm. Developing VCSELs that operate at the long wavelength of 1,550 nm—typically used in existing optical fiber communications—presents significant technical challenges. This challenge results from increased complexity in both material selection and structural design for long-wavelength VCSELs than those of short-wavelength VCSELs. In addition, achieving high output and efficiency in VCSELs at 1,550 nm is necessary to develop a material or device structure that emits efficiently.

In a joint research project with Sony, NICT has achieved the world’s first electrically driven VCSEL operating at 1,550 nm—the standard wavelength for optical fiber communication—using nanoscale semiconductor structures known as quantum dots as the optical gain material.

NICT developed the first core technology: a high-precision crystal growth method for compound semiconductors using molecular beam epitaxy. Fabricating a VCSEL requires growing a highly reflective semiconductor multilayer film (DBR: Distributed Bragg Reflector) to enhance light intensity; however, fabricating DBRs that operate at 1,550 nm has been challenging, because the combination of materials that can be grown is limited.

In this study, researchers developed a technology that can precisely grow DBR by strictly controlling the ratio of materials in the crystal growth and realized a semiconductor DBR with a high reflectivity exceeding 99% even at 1,550 nm. In addition, strain-compensation techniques were applied to the VCSEL production to accurately cancel the internal crystal strain (strain generated within the material) that occurs around the quantum dots, thereby significantly increasing the density of the quantum dots and improving the light-emitting performance.

Sony contributed to the second core technology: a device design and fabrication process that enables highly efficient current injection employing a structure called a tunnel junction. VCSELs emit light perpendicular to the wafer surface; therefore, even if quantum dots emit light, conventional electrode placement obstructs light extraction. Sony addressed this by implementing a tunnel junction structure that permits efficient current flow while facilitating light extraction employing a precise device process.

Through the integration of these two technologies, the team succeeded in creating lasing VCSELs using quantum dots at 1,550 nm as a light-emitting material with a small current of 13 mA (low threshold). Furthermore, polarization fluctuations were eliminated, resulting in a stable output.

VCSELs employing quantum dots as optical gain materials, exhibit excellent temperature stability. In addition, VCSELs exhibit scalable structures that enable mass production. These characteristics are expected to enable higher performance, reduced cost, and higher output via the integration of optical communication wavelength-band lasers.

The researchers aim to conduct advanced technical studies on quantum-dot-based VCSEL technology to further enhance the capacity and reduce power consumption in optical fiber communication systems beyond the 5G era. Concurrently, they will undertake efforts to promote social deployment of this technology.