Multiple transverse mode VCSEL's for high speed data communications

Multiple transverse mode vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (MTM VCSEL) have been mostly overlooked as possible sources for optical communications. This is understandably so for applications that involve long haul transmissions over single mode fiber where a narrow linewidth is an important parameter. But for data communication over short distances where multimode fiber is used, the potential of MTM VCSELs has not been explored. This talk presents the results of large signal modulation of an MTM VCSEL in a short fiber link at 1Gb/s and 3Gb/s.