Coherent Introduces 100G PAM4 VCSEL and Photodiode Arrays for 800G Transceivers and Active Optical Cables

Rhea-AI Summary

Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR) has launched a new line of 100G PAM4 VCSEL and photodiode arrays aimed at enhancing 800G short-reach datacom transceivers and active optical cables (AOCs). These innovative eight-element VCSEL arrays transmit data at 800 Gbps, catering to the accelerating demand from cloud and AI service providers for megascale datacenter expansions. The arrays utilize a vertically integrated 6-inch gallium arsenide platform, showcasing distinct reliability and efficiency for future sustainability in datacenters. Coherent plans to exhibit these advancements at OFC 2023 in San Diego, reinforcing its market position and technological leadership.

Positive

• Introduction of 100G PAM4 VCSEL and PD arrays aimed at 800G transceivers and AOCs.
• High-speed VCSEL arrays enable 800 Gbps transmission, meeting growing demand from datacenters.
• Utilization of a vertically integrated 6-inch gallium arsenide technology platform enhances product reliability.
• Products designed for lower energy consumption per bit, addressing sustainability in datacenters.

Negative

• None.

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR), a leader in datacom transceiver components, today announced the introduction of its 100G PAM4 vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) and photodiode (PD) arrays for 800G short-reach datacom pluggable transceivers and active optical cables (AOCs.)

Cloud and AI service providers are ramping up deployments of short-reach 800G transceivers and AOCs for their megascale datacenter buildouts. Coherent introduced eight-element VCSEL arrays, where each VCSEL can be modulated at 100 Gbps using a four-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM4) format. The eight-element arrays enable 800 Gbps transmission in short-reach transceivers and AOCs. The VCSEL arrays can be paired with Coherent’s new 100 Gbps PAM4 high-speed PD arrays.

“These high-speed datacom VCSELs represent the state of the art in the technology. They are among the few commercially available and, to our knowledge, the only ones to be manufactured on a vertically integrated 6-inch gallium arsenide technology platform,” said Dr. Karlheinz Gulden, Senior Vice President, Laser Components and Subsystems Business Unit. “The VCSEL and PD array pairs benefit from the decades of proven reliability going back to the 1990s, when VCSELs were first commercially introduced for datacom links. This latest breakthrough in VCSEL speed is another great opportunity for our customers to partner with the pioneers, enable short-reach transceivers and AOCs operating at 100 Gbps per lane, and serve the rapidly growing market demand.”

The VCSEL arrays are available at 850 nm, 880 nm, 910 nm, and 940 nm, enabling various applications, including bidirectional operation on one fiber to minimize cabling costs in datacenters. The VCSEL and PD arrays enable lower energy consumption per bit, a growing requirement for the future sustainability of datacenters.

Coherent offers a broad range of optoelectronics for datacom transceivers in addition to high-speed VCSELs and PDs, including continuous wave (CW) lasers, directly modulated lasers (DMLs), electroabsorption-modulated lasers (EMLs), and power monitors. Coherent offers a full complement of driver and clock data recovery (CDR) integrated circuits. Coherent also offers a broad portfolio of WDM, LAN-WDM, and CWDM subassemblies.

Coherent will exhibit at OFC 2023 in San Diego, March 7-9, booth #3815, showcasing its new products and technology for next-generation optical communications networks and sensing.

About Coherent

Coherent empowers market innovators to define the future through breakthrough technologies, from materials to systems. We deliver innovations that resonate with our customers in diversified applications for the industrial, communications, electronics, and instrumentation markets. Headquartered in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, Coherent has research and development, manufacturing, sales, service, and distribution facilities worldwide. For more information, please visit us at coherent.com.

Contact

Mark Lourie
Vice President, Corporate Communications
corporate.communications@coherent.com

FAQ

What new products did Coherent Corp. introduce on February 28, 2023?

Coherent Corp. announced the launch of 100G PAM4 VCSEL and photodiode arrays for 800G short-reach datacom transceivers and active optical cables.

How do the new VCSEL arrays from Coherent benefit datacenters?

The new VCSEL arrays enable 800 Gbps transmission, lower energy consumption per bit, and support megascale datacenter buildouts.

When and where will Coherent showcase its new technology?

Coherent will exhibit its new products at OFC 2023 in San Diego from March 7-9, 2023.

What is the significance of the VCSEL arrays' technology platform?

The VCSEL arrays are manufactured on a vertically integrated 6-inch gallium arsenide platform, known for its proven reliability since the 1990s.