Marcel F. Schemmann

On a class of low-reflection transmission-line quasi-Gaussian low-pass filters and their lumped-element approximations

Gaussian-like filters are frequently used in digital signal transmission. Usually, these filters are made of lumped inductors and capacitors. In the stopband, these filters exhibit a high reflection, which can create unwanted signal interference. To prevent that, a new low-reflection ladder network is introduced that consist of resistors, inductors, and capacitors. The network models fictitious transmission lines with Gaussian-like amplitude characteristics. Starting from the analysis of this network, a procedure is developed for synthesis of a new class of lumped-element RLC filters. These filters have transmission coefficients similar to the classical Bessel filters. In contrast to the Bessel filters, the new filters exhibit a low reflection both in the stopband and passband, they have a small span of element parameters, and they are easy for manufacturing and tuning.

Advanced characterization techniques for high power VCSELs

The performance of high power VCSELs in a specific application depends on the geometrical and thermal design as well as on the quality of the epitaxially grown material. Due to the relatively high heat load in densely packed high power arrays the temperature in the active zone and the DBR mirrors changes significantly with the applied current and the traditional characterization methods become less meaningful than for low power devices. This paper presents a method to measure temperature independent power curves with the help of short pulse techniques and data mapping at different heat sink temperatures. In addition the internal quantum efficiency, the transparency current and the gain coefficient are measured by a novel method which operates the VCSEL material as an edge emitter and applies a cut-back technique. The optical losses in the DBR mirrors are determined using external feedback. In summary all relevant parameters which determine the quality of an epitaxial design are measured independently and can be directly compared with modeling and help to optimize the high power VCSEL performance.

A VCSEL-based miniature laser-self-mixing interferometer with integrated optical and electronic components

It has been previously published how, using two separate Vertical-Cavity-Surface-Emitting-Lasers (VCSELs), a miniature laser-Doppler interferometer can be made for quasi-three-dimensional displacement measurements. For the use in consumer applications as PC-mice, the manufacturing costs of such sensors need to be minimized. This paper describes the fabrication of a low-cost laser-self-mixing sensor by integrating silicon and GaAs components using flip-chip technology. Wafer-scale lens replication on GaAs wafers is used to achieve integrated optics. In this way a sensor was realized without an external lens and that uses only a single GaAs VCSEL crystal, while maintaining its quasi-three-dimensional sensor capabilities.