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2-D WDM Optical Interconnections Using Multiple-wavelength VCSELs for Simultaneous and Reconfigurable Communication Among Many Planes

A.E. Willner, C.J. Chang-Hasnain, J.E. Leight, C.J. Chang-Hasnain and E.L. Ginzton Lab

The ability to efficiently connect many high-speed ports or "smart" pixels is of critical importance for large-capacity communications. High bandwidth, 2-D optical planes can be used to achieve such an interconnection and avoid eventual electronic bottlenecks. However, existing solutions do not efficiently resolve a situation in which one plane is required to simultaneously and reconfigurably communicate with many subsequent planes. One previous solution involves etching large holes in each plane's substrate establishing only a predetermined static configuration between any two planes.