Highly Reliable Operation of Red Laser Diodes for POF Data Links

Abstract

Laser diodes for plastic optical fiber (POF) data links are required stable operation >100,000h at 60°C, 5mW and the transmission speed beyond 1Gbps. By optimizing crystal growth conditions and device structures, we have successfully fabricated highly reliable laser diodes with 1.25 Gbps transmission speed. The median lifetime for 5mW operation at 60°C was estimated to be more than 800,000h. These results indicate that 660 nm band laser diodes are very promising light sources for POF data links.