Analysis of lensless free-space optical interconnects based on multi-transverse mode vertical-cavity-surface-emitting lasers

The feasibility of lensless free-space optical interconnects (FSOI's) using Vertical-Cavity-Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSEL's) is investigated. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and interconnect capacity of FSOI's in the presence of higher order modes are analyzed. The dependence of the SNR on feature parameters of VCSEL and photodetector arrays and the dependence of the capacity on channel spacing are simulated. The results have shown that lensless FSOI's can be achieved in chip level applications and the presence of higher order modes will deteriorate their performance, Moreover, the maximum distance of interconnection and the effect of lateral misalignment are also investigated. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved