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Tyndall
National Institute 2010 |
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Technology
BIANCHO
The concept of this project is very simple - it will provide a fundamental improvement in efficiency in semiconductor lasers and semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) for telecommunications and data communications and so remove the need for power hungry thermoelectric coolers (TECs) to control the device temperature. This improvement in efficiency will be provided by removing the non-radiative (Auger) recombination that dominates conventional InP-based lasers and SOAs, wasting 80% of the input electrical power. Improved efficiency will also come from substantially reducing the temperature dependence of the band gap in Electro-absorption modulators (EAMs), removing the need for temperature control. Theoretical modelling has shown that it is possible to design materials where Auger recombination is eliminated and also to design materials with a lower temperature dependence of the band gap. Devices will be fabricated based on dilute nitride and bismide materials on InP and GaAs substrates developed within the project. This offers a true technology break.
The components and systems facilitated by the technology developed in this project will have much improved efficiency and thereby reduced energy consumption. Thermoelectric coolers (TECs) often account for over 80% of the power consumption of fibre optic modules. Through the direct & indirect effects of higher temperature operation, i.e. removing the need for TECs, the total power demand of components using this new technology will be reduced by at least an order of magnitude. Based on typical modules foreseen in FTTH installations this equates to around 2W per package. In the case of a Europe-wide rollout, removal of these TECs would reduce the potential power consumption of the system by several 100s of MW. The higher levels of photonic integration enabled by low-power devices, such as in the case of the integrated laser-modulator, would also eliminate many ancillary components which are currently used to couple light between, and control, discrete laser and modulator functions.
For further information please contact Mary O'Regan
BIANCHO is fully funded by the EU
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