Lasers for Optical Communications
Modulight develops and manufactures semiconductor lasers for optical communication systems, including pump lasers for optical amplifiers, single-mode laser sources and tailored laser solutions for demanding telecom and high-speed optical applications.
Reliable laser sources for connected systems
Laser sources for optical communications
Optical communication systems rely on semiconductor lasers to generate, transmit, amplify and measure optical signals. Laser sources are used in applications ranging from fiber-optic telecommunications and optical amplifiers to high-speed optical interconnects and data center infrastructure.
Modulight provides laser components and tailored semiconductor laser solutions for demanding optical applications. Our vertically integrated manufacturing enables control over laser chip design, fabrication, packaging and integration.
Pump lasers for optical amplifiers
Pump lasers provide the optical energy required by fiber amplifiers and other optical amplification systems. In telecommunications, pump lasers are commonly used to excite rare-earth-doped optical fibers in amplifier architectures such as erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs).
Modulight offers single-mode pump lasers and other pump laser configurations across a broad wavelength range, with solutions available for different power levels, fiber configurations and integration requirements.
Explore Modulight Single-Mode Pump Lasers »
Single-mode pump lasers
Single-mode pump lasers are designed for efficient coupling into single-mode optical fibers. Key parameters include pump wavelength, optical output power, wavelength stability, fiber coupling, mode field diameter and package configuration.
Modulight’s single-mode pump laser portfolio includes solutions in the 9xx–14xx nm wavelength bands, including 976 nm and 1480 nm pump lasers. Fiber-coupled configurations are available for fiber amplifier and other optical pumping applications.
Modulight solutions for optical communications
Pump lasers
Applications: Optical amplifiers, fiber amplifiers, telecommunications
Examples: 976 nm, 1480 nm and other application-specific wavelengths
Single-mode pump lasers
Configuration: Fiber-coupled, wavelength-stabilized and application-specific solutions
Applications: Fiber amplifiers, telecom and other precision optical systems – See Product Search
Tailored semiconductor lasers
Applications: Optical communications, sensing, instrumentation and high-speed optical systems
Integration: Laser chips, modules and application-specific configurations
Lasers for data centers and high-speed optical interconnects
The continued growth of cloud computing, AI infrastructure and high-performance computing is increasing demand for high-speed optical interconnects. Semiconductor lasers are key components in optical links used to transmit data between servers, switches and other network equipment.
For data center laser applications, the laser source must meet demanding requirements for optical performance, reliability, manufacturability and integration. Depending on the system architecture, important parameters can include wavelength, output power, spectral characteristics, modulation requirements, fiber coupling and package configuration.
Modulight’s vertically integrated semiconductor laser technology provides a foundation for developing application-specific laser sources and OEM solutions for high-speed optical systems.
Optical communication laser solutions
Depending on the application, Modulight can provide laser solutions based on different semiconductor and laser technologies. These can be integrated as individual laser components, fiber-coupled modules or more complete laser subsystems.
Our optical communication laser solutions can be tailored to requirements such as:
- Wavelength and wavelength stability
- Optical output power
- Single-mode or other fiber coupling requirements
- Polarization-maintaining fiber configurations
- Package and mechanical integration
- Electrical interface and control requirements
- Thermal management and temperature control
- OEM-specific requirements and volumes
Optical communications applications
Telecommunications
Laser sources are fundamental components of fiber-optic telecommunications networks. Pump lasers are used in optical amplifiers, while other semiconductor laser technologies can be used as optical sources in transmission and network equipment.
EDFA and fiber amplifiers
EDFA pump lasers provide optical pumping for erbium-doped fiber amplifiers used to amplify signals in fiber-optic communication systems. Pump wavelength, optical power, wavelength stability and coupling efficiency are important parameters when selecting a pump source.
Data center optical interconnects
High-speed data transmission between servers and network equipment increasingly relies on optical interconnects. Laser sources used in these systems must combine suitable optical characteristics with reliability and compatibility with the target optical architecture.
RF-over-fiber
RF-over-fiber technology transmits analog radio-frequency signals over optical fiber. It can be used for applications including wireless networks, high-frequency signal distribution and aerospace and avionics systems.
Optical test and measurement
Optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) is used to characterize and diagnose fiber-optic cables and links. High-power laser pulses are launched into the fiber and the back-reflected signal is analyzed to determine characteristics and potential faults along the fiber link.
Fiber-optic sensing
Stable semiconductor laser sources are also used in fiber-optic sensing, interferometry and precision measurement systems where wavelength stability, low noise and efficient fiber coupling can be important.
OEM and application-specific solutions
Communication systems often have application-specific requirements that cannot be met by a standard off-the-shelf laser. Modulight works with OEM and research customers to develop laser sources with tailored wavelengths, power levels, fiber configurations, packages and interfaces.
Why choose Modulight for communication lasers?
Vertical integration
Modulight designs and manufactures semiconductor lasers in-house. Control over semiconductor materials, epitaxial structures, chip fabrication and laser packaging enables development of application-specific laser solutions.
Wavelength and power flexibility
Laser solutions can be developed for different wavelengths and optical power levels, including common pump wavelengths used in fiber laser and amplifier applications.
Fiber-coupled integration
Fiber-coupled laser modules can be configured for standard single-mode or polarization-maintaining fibers and tailored to the optical and mechanical requirements of the target system.
OEM collaboration
Modulight works with customers from prototype development through production. Depending on the application, laser solutions can be tailored in terms of wavelength, optical power, fiber, connector, package, electrical interface and cooling.
Frequently asked questions about communication lasers
What is a pump laser?
A pump laser provides optical energy to another optical medium, such as a rare-earth-doped fiber. In optical communications, pump lasers are commonly used in fiber amplifiers such as EDFAs.
What is a single-mode pump laser?
A single-mode pump laser generates light in a single spatial mode, enabling efficient coupling into single-mode optical fibers. Important selection criteria include wavelength, optical power, wavelength stability and fiber coupling.
What wavelength is used for EDFA pump lasers?
EDFA systems commonly use pump wavelengths around the 980 nm and 1480 nm bands. The appropriate wavelength and power depend on the amplifier architecture and system requirements.
What are lasers used for in data centers?
Semiconductor lasers can be used as optical sources in high-speed data transmission and optical interconnect systems. The required laser characteristics depend on the optical architecture, transmission technology and system design.
What is the difference between a pump laser and a communication laser?
A pump laser supplies optical energy to an amplifier or another optical process, while a communication laser can act as the optical source carrying information in a communication link. The terms can therefore describe different functions within an optical communication system.
Talk to our engineers about your communication laser requirements
Whether you need a pump laser, single-mode pump laser, fiber-coupled laser or a tailored semiconductor laser solution, our engineers can help define the right configuration for your application.