Optically injection-locked 1.55-μm VCSELs as upstream transmitters in WDM-PONs

Abstract

The wavelength-division-multiplexed passive optical network is actively being developed to meet the ever-increasing bandwidth demands of end users in a cost-effective and future-proof manner. In this work, we propose a novel scheme that utilizes injection-locked 1.55-μm vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) for operation as low-cost, stable, directly modulated, and potentially uncooled upstream transmitters, whereby the injection-locking master source is furnished by modulated downstream signals. Our scheme eliminates the need for external injection-locking optical sources, external modulators, and wavelength stabilization circuitry. We show through experiments that the injection-..