Segmented VCSEL Mesa Apertures for Adaptive Bitrate and Energy Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
State-of-the-art Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) cannot adapt their operating parameters to varying workloads in workstation clusters or supercomputers, leading to suboptimal energy consumption and cooling, as they are fixed and cannot adjust to changing demands.
Innovation Solution
A method for fabricating a multiple radiation emitter with individually addressable mesa portions, allowing for different light emission modes and optical properties, enabling optimization of energy efficiency and bitrate by selectively activating or deactivating mesa portions and applying different electrical signals for polarization multiplexing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a VCSEL operates at high bitrate, then data transmission performance is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The VCSEL emitter is divided into multiple independently controllable mesa portions (e.g., first mesa portion and second mesa portion), each capable of being selectively activated or deactivated. This segmentation allows the system to optimize energy consumption by activating only the necessary number of mesa portions based on the required bitrate, rather than operating all portions at full capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables dynamic adaptation of the VCSEL's operating parameters by allowing rapid switching between different configurations of active mesa portions. The system can adjust the number and arrangement of active emitters in real-time based on workload demands, transitioning from high-power full-array operation to low-power selective operation as needed.
2Productivity
If a VCSEL is designed for optimal performance at a given bitrate, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but adaptability to varying workloads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the VCSEL into multiple independently addressable mesa portions, the invention enables selective activation of specific segments based on workload requirements. This allows the system to maintain optimal performance characteristics across different operating conditions by activating only the necessary number of mesa portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The VCSEL structure is designed to perform multiple functions through a single device by enabling different combinations of mesa portions to be activated. The same physical structure can operate in various modes (e.g., single mesa active, multiple mesas active, all mesas active) to handle different workload scenarios, eliminating the need for multiple specialized VCSELs.
3Productivity
If all mesa portions are activated for high data transmission, then bitrate is improved, but energy-to-data ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies partial action by activating only the necessary subset of mesa portions required to achieve the target bitrate, rather than excessive action of activating all mesas. This allows the system to achieve sufficient data transmission capacity while minimizing energy consumption by leaving some mesa portions inactive when full capacity is not needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for efficient energy use and adaptable bitrate management, enabling optimized operation for varying workloads by allowing individual control of mesa portions, thereby improving energy-to-data ratio and enabling efficient data transmission with reduced energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
locally oxidizing the at least one intermediate layer and thereby forming at least one unoxidized aperture in the at least one intermediate layer
Data Source
AI summary
A method of fabricating a radiation emitter including fabricating a layer stack that includes a first reflector, at least one intermediate layer, an active region and a second reflector; locally oxidizing the intermediate layer and thereby forming at least one unoxidized aperture; and locally removing the layer stack, and thereby forming a mesa that includes the first reflector, the unoxidized aperture, the active region, and the second reflector. Before or after locally removing the layer stack and forming the mesa: forming at least a first unoxidized aperture and at least a second unoxidized aperture inside the intermediate layer; etching a trench inside the layer stack, the trench defining a first portion and a second portion of the mesa, wherein the trench severs the intermediate layer(s) so that the first aperture is located in the first portion and the second aperture is located in the second portion of the mesa.