Optical Interconnection Network for Massively Parallel Processors Using Beam-Steering Vertical Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers

摘要

An ultra-dense optical interconnection network is proposed for massively parallel processors. Using two-dimensional arrays of beam-steering vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSEL) as space-division switching elements, a single-chip, free-space photonic banyan network (or other multi-stage networks) can be constructed. Our scheme does not require critical optical alignment and can be easily packaged in compact chips. The optical beam steering of VCSELs are realized with an integrated beam router. Steering angles as large as 10° from surface-normal direction has been demonstrated. The VCSEL has a threshold current of 4 mA and output power of 1 mW (for 4μm×8μm device) and a modulation bandwidth of 10 GHz. Dynamic switching of optical beam angles at 2 GHz has been demonstrated.