Discovery Semiconductors has demonstrated 40 Gb/s @ 1550 nm over 300 meters of 50-um core multimode fiber (as shown in the figure at right). Multimode fiber can collect more light than single-mode fiber, due to its larger area and higher numerical aperture. There is a new paradigm shift; multimode fiber PIN diodes have full bandwidth and very linear response, even at high optical power.

Applications that can benefit from the large collection area and 800- to 1650-nm wavelength response include high-speed VSCEL (vertical-cavity survace-emitting laser); development, free-space optical communication, radio over fiber, antenna remoting, and 100 Gb/s Ethernet development.

Multimode fiber is also more fault tolerant than single-mode fiber. It will perform much better over time in harsh environments, such as on aircrafts and ships, for shock, vibration, dust and humidity.

Discovery Manufactures four multimode-fibered PIN diodes to 35-GHz bandwidth and three amplified optical receivers to 30-GHz bandwidth, in addition to standard single-mode fibered components, its Lab Buddy laboratory-friendly optical instrument, and the Kitty Hawk coherent optical receiver.