New Laser Technology Promises Faster, Cheaper Bandwidth

SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 15 -- Novalux announced that it has created new technology capable of changing how voice, data, video and Internet traffic are transmitted. According to Novalux, its Extended Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (NECSEL), can expand on the rate that current optical pump technology can transmit information and at a much lower cost.
The first area of change is in the way that dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) is carried out. DWDM multiplies the information-carrying capacity of an optical fiber by sending multiple information data channels down the fiber using multiple carrier transmitters with differing wavelengths. The larger the number of channels used, the greater is the demand for pump power. Today DWDM is powered by edge-emitting diode laser-based pump technology which is generally limited 250 m in single-mode fiber. According to the company, NECSELs makes a much higher power that is sent out in a circular beam from the surface of the chip. This will enable the company to reduce the cost of packaging by mass-testing chips.